Moon over the parasol tree, cold wind and heavy dew. Among the swaying tree shadows under the long street’s eaves, the young man in crimson robes and silver sword smiled at the corners of his mouth, his eyes more intoxicating than the clear night.

Handsome and elegant sons of aristocratic families always attracted attention wherever they went. However, in the eyes of the medical clinic people at this moment, he seemed like the lord of the underworld, the King Yama of the palace hall, his smile tinged with faint coldness.

Du Changqing’s face looked very grim.

Setting aside these groundless accusations, why was the Heir of Duke Zhaoning also present tonight? These matters didn’t fall under the Palace Command Department’s jurisdiction—what was he doing here making trouble?

Du Changqing steadied himself and smiled: “Honorable officials, there must be some misunderstanding here. I’ve been running this medical clinic for many years, always diligent and honest. Murder and burying corpses is absolutely impossible—you must have made a mistake.”

Pei Yunying remained unmoved: “The Military Patrol Office received an accusation that someone reported your medical clinic for murder, hiding corpses in the clinic. This commander came specially to investigate.”

“Who’s spouting nonsense?” Du Changqing flared up upon hearing this. “Who? Which bastard made the accusation?”

Pei Yunying ignored him, but gradually someone emerged from among the patrol soldiers.

The man wore an indigo long robe, his fair and kindly face full of worry. As he approached, he called out “Shopkeeper Du.”

“Bai Shouyi?” Du Changqing was stunned, then realized and began cursing furiously: “You made the accusation? You shameless dog bastard, your conscience was eaten by your father! Actually making false accusations against my medical clinic out of nowhere! Shameless!”

“Shopkeeper Du, I speak the truth.”

“Bullshit! Which of your eyes saw someone in the medical clinic commit murder?”

“I didn’t see it myself, but others did.”

Du Changqing sneered: “Then tell me who?”

Bai Shouyi smiled unhurriedly, squinting toward the area behind Du Changqing. Du Changqing frowned and turned to follow his gaze, seeing Xiangcao supporting Xia Rongrong standing in the inner shop—they had apparently followed out at some point.

“Cousin?”

Xia Rongrong’s eyes brimmed with tears. She glanced timidly at Lu Tong and spoke quietly: “Cousin, it was me. I personally saw Dr. Lu get up at night to kill and bury someone in the courtyard… The body is hidden under the plum tree below the window…”

“What?”

Du Changqing’s heart shook as he stepped back two paces, feeling his mind in complete chaos.

Xia Rongrong personally saw Lu Tong commit murder?

He instinctively looked up, gazing uncertainly at the woman holding a lamp at the entrance. Moonlight slanted across her side, casting an extremely faint silhouette on the ground. Wind stirred her silk sash, her jade face pure and bright, cold as always.

Lu Tong looked at him, her tone calm: “Shopkeeper Du, I didn’t kill anyone.”

Du Changqing opened his mouth but couldn’t speak.

But Pei Yunying on the side smiled upon seeing this: “Whether there was murder or not, a search will reveal the truth.”

He raised his hand: “Search.”

The patrol soldiers behind him swarmed forward, rushing into the medical clinic.

The sounds of rummaging through boxes and cabinets, clanging and banging, immediately arose.

A’Cheng hurriedly went to support the medicine cabinets toppled by the patrol soldiers, stamping his feet anxiously: “These are all medicinal herbs—if they’re damaged, they can’t be used!” The patrol soldiers paid no attention to what a mere shop assistant said, just shoved him aside and lifted the felt curtain to go inside.

Yin Zheng helped A’Cheng up. Du Changqing, both anxious and angry, temporarily couldn’t worry about Lu Tong and pointed at Bai Shouyi while scolding Xia Rongrong: “Look what you’ve done, conspiring with this dog bastard to plot against our medical clinic? Are you insane?”

Xia Rongrong was already frightened, and hearing Du Changqing’s words made her even more aggrieved. She couldn’t help but sob quietly. Seeing this, Bai Shouyi came over gently to mediate: “Young Shopkeeper Du speaks wrongly. If there’s a murderer killing and burying bodies in the medical clinic, it should be reported to the patrol office. For Shopkeeper Du to scold Miss Xia like this and protect the murderer—could you also be involved?”

These words were cutting to the heart. Du Changqing’s face immediately changed.

Shen Fengying’s gaze also turned toward him.

Lu Tong watched coldly as Bai Shouyi performed his act, then turned and walked a few steps. A patrol soldier beside her thought she was trying to escape and drew his sword, shouting viciously: “Where are you going!”

“Bang!”

The silver sword’s scabbard moved slightly, blocking the threatening blade.

Pei Yunying glanced coldly at the soldier who had drawn his sword. The soldier quickly bowed: “Sir.”

He said: “Stand down. I’m watching her.”

“Yes, sir.”

Lu Tong looked up.

In the misty night, the clusters of silver cloud patterns on his deep crimson embroidered robes were bright and dazzling. Standing here, he seemed like a jade tree in the wind, always captivating.

Pity he was also the court’s running dog.

Lu Tong looked away: “The wind is rising. I’d like to go inside to wait. Could your honor permit this?”

Pei Yunying glanced at her thin clothing, his lips curving slightly.

“It is quite cold. Go in.”

Lu Tong stood and walked into the courtyard. Pei Yunying sheathed his sword and followed her in.

The patrol soldiers surrounding them looked at each other strangely. The Heir of Duke Zhaoning’s attitude toward this female doctor was truly odd—indulgent to excess. When had anyone searching ever been so polite and courteous to the person being searched? Even though the commander was always popular with young ladies, he had never shown such patience toward other women.

Only Lu Tong knew how false this person’s kindness was.

Street patrol security didn’t fall under the Palace Command Department’s jurisdiction at all. His late-night arrival was definitely not on a whim, but because he had long suspected her and was simply following the current.

Yes, Pei Yunying had long suspected her.

From when she visited the Fan residence, from their chance encounter in the Wuhuan Garden at Wan’en Temple, or perhaps even earlier—at the rouge shop in Baoxiang Tower, those three sharp flower needles in the emerald sparrow velvet flower had already made this person suspicious of her.

He held back not because he didn’t like meddling in affairs, but perhaps simply because he lacked evidence.

Once he had evidence, he would ruthlessly throw her into prison and sentence her to death.

As she thought this, she heard the person beside her speak: “Speaking of coincidences.”

“What?”

“The first time I saw you at Baoxiang Tower, Dr. Lu was being held hostage by Lu Dashan. The second time I saw you at Wuhuan Garden, Master Ke drowned in the Life Release Hall. Later when you went to the Fan residence to treat Madam Fan, Minister Fan was imprisoned for crimes. And then today, the Military Patrol Office received a report saying you murdered and buried corpses.”

He smiled, his voice like fine wine, clear and mellow, his tone seemingly carrying light jest: “I always feel that every time I encounter Dr. Lu, there’s bloodshed and disaster around?”

A moment’s autumn wind passed, and the sparse plum branches in the courtyard rustled in the wind.

Lu Tong lowered her eyes and heard her own calm voice.

“I am a physician. Physicians deal with blood—isn’t that common? Is your honor implying that my horoscope is inauspicious?”

Without waiting for Pei Yunying’s answer, she looked up again, meeting his eyes: “Moreover, Minister Fan’s troubles came from his collusion with officials to commit examination fraud. ‘Those who wield great power cannot hold it long, those in high positions easily lose their influence’—he brought it upon himself. What does it have to do with me?”

Not expecting her to retort, Pei Yunying raised his eyebrows.

After a moment, he sighed: “That makes sense.”

At this time, the two had walked into the courtyard. Under the plum tree, patrol soldiers were diligently digging. The bedrooms were in complete chaos, with Shen Fengying directing his subordinates to search extensively inside, creating complete upheaval.

“Dr. Lu is well-versed in the ‘Liang Dynasty Legal Code.’ I wonder if you’ve seen this clause?”

He looked at the patrol soldiers digging under the tree and spoke casually: “If there’s a murder case in the city, once evidence is conclusive, patrol soldiers with warrants can execute the murderer on the spot.”

“Is that so?”

Lu Tong turned around to face him: “Then Lord Pei, please proceed.”

The woman’s tone was calm, her expression unchanged. Misty moonlight fell on her face like sparse willows and graceful flowers, completely composed without a trace of fear.

She wasn’t afraid at all.

Pei Yunying paused, reached up to rub his forehead as if very troubled: “But we haven’t found evidence yet, have we?”

He smiled at Lu Tong and spoke leisurely: “We’re not the Imperial City Department—without evidence, we can’t arrest people openly.”

Lu Tong nodded, her tone somewhat mocking: “Then Lord Pei had better hurry, otherwise it will be too late and all evidence will be gone.”

Hearing this, his eyes moved slightly as he stared steadily at Lu Tong, his dark eyes unreadable.

Lu Tong met his gaze coldly.

This person… born into prominent family, enjoying noble rank and salary, handsome and charming, witty and attractive—he seemed to easily win others’ favor.

Moreover, he was so young.

Yet from their first meeting, Lu Tong felt she could see through those dark, brilliant eyes to the coldness and mockery hidden within.

He suspected her but didn’t act, like an inescapable shadow, unhurriedly following behind, waiting for her to reveal a flaw at some careless moment.

Annoying.

The night was bright and windless. The small courtyard’s curtains half-concealed lamplight, thin mist pushed away moonlight, and cold light soaked their sleeves. In the courtyard, one person looked down while the other looked up, their two shadows intertwining on the ground. Where their gazes crossed, there wasn’t the slightest romance.

There seemed to be sounds of metal clashing.

Just then, a patrol soldier searching inside suddenly shouted loudly: “Sir!”

Pei Yunying: “What is it?”

Shen Fengying’s head poked out from the doorway. He hesitated: “There might be a discovery.”

Pei Yunying turned his head. Lu Tong had already lowered hers, her expression hidden in the shadows of lamplight, blurry and unclear.

He looked at Lu Tong with a half-smile: “Shall we go in and look?”

Lu Tong said nothing.

The two went inside together.

The room was in complete chaos. Cabinets and trunks had been turned upside down, papers and brushes originally arranged on the table were carelessly thrown on the floor and trampled everywhere. Du Changqing stood to one side, so angry his eyes were straight, stamping his feet and yelling. Yin Zheng and A’Cheng stood at the doorway—some straightening vases, others picking up clothes.

The usually spacious bedroom, crowded with many people, suddenly became cramped. Several patrol soldiers were bent over, forcefully dragging something from under the bed.

Lu Tong’s eyelashes trembled slightly.

It was a copper box, about three feet long and wide, with a small lock hanging forlornly on top, seemingly rusted.

Shen Fengying asked: “Whose room is this?”

After a pause, Lu Tong stepped forward: “Honorable sir, this is my room.”

Shen Fengying turned back, looking her up and down.

The woman wore a light moon-colored plain silk dress, with no jewelry on her person, only a few clusters of fresh osmanthus velvet flowers adorning her hair. Her eyes were like dots of lacquer, her brows like ink paintings—under the lamplight, truly a charming beauty.

For such a beauty to murder and bury corpses sounded absurd.

Moreover, tonight his subordinates had nearly turned the entire medical clinic upside down. Except for evidence yet to be excavated under the plum tree, they had found nothing so far. If not for the fact that the accuser was from Renxin Medical Clinic itself, Shen Fengying would almost suspect this accusation was a prank.

He asked the person before him: “What’s in this box?”

Lu Tong answered: “Some ordinary things.”

But she wasn’t very clear about it.

Hearing this, Shen Fengying frowned and pressed: “What ordinary things?”

“Honorable sir, just some worthless trinkets.”

The more vaguely she spoke, the more suspicious Shen Fengying became. He gave his subordinate a meaningful look.

The patrol soldier who had dragged out the box saw this and lifted the copper box, shaking it. Muffled “bang bang” sounds came from inside, like some heavy objects rolling within.

“Open the box,” Shen Fengying said to Lu Tong, his gaze no longer gentle but cold and stern.

“Honorable sir, it’s been so long that the key can no longer be found.”

The room fell silent. The other patrol soldiers’ movements had somehow stopped. Du Changqing’s gaze moved between the copper box and Lu Tong, his eyes unable to hide his shock and suspicion.

If it were just an ordinary box, she could open it freely. Why would Lu Tong be so evasive? It was almost as if… as if she were deliberately concealing something.

At this moment, Du Changqing still wanted to struggle, forcing a smile: “Dr. Lu, you didn’t secretly hide money behind my back and keep it under the bed, did you? That would be somewhat dishonest.”

But Shen Fengying turned to Pei Yunying: “Sir, what do you think…”

The case seemed about to be solved. Whoever took the lead would claim the credit. Shen Fengying couldn’t tell if this young Lord Pei would want to steal his thunder.

Pei Yunying’s lips curved: “Handle it as you see fit.”

This meant he wouldn’t interfere.

Shen Fengying was delighted and no longer hesitated. He said to the soldier holding the box: “Smash it—smash it open for this official!”

The soldier, having received his superior’s order, immediately drew his waist sword without a word and struck hard at the box’s lock.

“Bang—”

The rusted copper lock broke in two from the middle, swaying on the lock hasp before falling to the ground with a “clatter.”

The box lid was also forced open by this tremendous impact, and something wrapped in cloth rolled out with a “gurgle.”

Several gazes in the room simultaneously shot toward it.

“This is…”

Xia Rongrong, who had curiously approached the doorway with Bai Shouyi to look, let out an “Ahya!” scream, quickly turned her back, using Bai Shouyi’s body to block her view, unable to help trembling all over.

On the open floor of the room lay something wrapped in white cloth. The object was hidden inside—its nature unknown—only showing a round outline and pervasive bloodstains.

This was a blood-stained bundle.

It vaguely… had the shape of a head.

The room fell silent as death.

Du Changqing’s face went white, but Shen Fengying was secretly delighted.

Evidence—this was evidence!

Who would have thought this seemingly delicate female doctor had actually killed someone in the medical clinic and put the corpse’s head in a box under the bed? This was truly too vicious. Indeed, you can know a person’s face but not their heart!

He cleared his throat lightly, assumed an accusatory posture, and sternly demanded: “What is this object?”

The woman’s face showed a transparent pallor in the firelight. She pressed her lips together and fell silent.

Xia Rongrong faced away from the box, not daring to look back, and spoke tremblingly: “What’s inside won’t be… won’t be…”

Shen Fengying sneered, drew his sword, and walked to the bundle. With his sword tip, he lifted a corner of the bundle, about to open it.

Pei Yunying was leaning against the door watching the room’s activities. Seeing this, he glanced at Lu Tong. The woman slightly lowered her head, her body sunk in the dark shadows of lamplight, her frail shoulders slightly trembling as if shaking from guilty conscience.

His eyes moved, and suddenly a strange feeling flashed through his heart.

Before he could understand where that strangeness came from, Shen Fengying’s sword tip exerted force and flipped open the bundle before him.

Everyone in the room gasped.

Xia Rongrong held her breath, tightly closing her eyes, waiting for the ensuing screams. However, silence surrounded her. After waiting a moment, the expected shrieks didn’t appear.

She carefully opened her eyes and looked up at Bai Shouyi, discovering that Bai Shouyi was staring blankly behind her, his expression somewhat strange.

This expression… what had he seen?

Xia Rongrong turned around and boldly glanced quickly at that blurry thing in the center of the room. At first glance, she froze.

The bundle’s cloth was completely opened, with mottled bloodstains on the white fabric. The bright lamplight illuminated a head in the bundle.

The head was bloody, severed cleanly from the neck down, with two eyes staring, gazing eerily at everyone.

It was a pig’s head.

Pig: Is anyone going to speak up for me?????