Dawn was breaking, it’s light barely visible. The autumn fog hung thick in the air. After a night of wind, frost urged the trees to shed their leaves. In the courtyard, a black dog stretched lazily, its paws making the scattered golden leaves rustle beneath them.

Tomorrow would be the fifteenth day of the eighth month. The palace’s supply warehouse had delivered moon cakes and rice wine, which were now piled in the space before the Commander’s mansion. Inside the house, Pei Yunying turned to sit down in his chair. Beside him, the round-faced youth with round eyes had lost his usual cleverness, following dejectedly behind.

Last night, the military post had received a report that a strange male corpse had been discovered at the foot of Wangchun Mountain. The deceased appeared to have taken his own life by piercing his throat with a stone, dying from excessive blood loss. Peculiarly, a purse was found on the body.

The purse was exquisite, embroidered with lifelike swimming ducks, and bore the name of Imperial Guard Duan Xiaoyan from the Palace Front Court.

When Duan Xiaoyan learned of this, he could hardly believe his ears. He hurried to Wangchun Mountain to meet with the military patrol post personnel. It was already a troublesome time, with the Ministry of Rites officials’ bribery case involving examination candidates still unresolved. No one wanted to provoke His Majesty’s displeasure at this juncture.

However, despite the suspicious circumstances, the coroner found nothing unusual in the deceased’s body. Conveniently, it had rained the previous night, washing away all traces, not even leaving half a footprint.

If Duan Xiaoyan had truly killed someone, such a thorough cleanup would have served his purposes well. But for the wrongly accused Duan Xiaoyan, the rain, and apparent suicide only added to the suspicious appearance of a cover-up.

Fortunately, besides the purse, no other evidence had been found. After all, the deceased, Liu Kun, was just an ordinary noodle shop owner from Queer Street, and Duan Xiaoyan had no grudge against Liu Kun, having never even met him before. There was simply no reason for murder.

However…

Thinking of the suspicious looks from the patrol soldiers, Duan Xiaoyan still felt dejected.

The youth hung his head, his tone gloomy.

“Brother, why would Doctor Lu want to frame me?”

The light golden purse had been lost during the last chance encounter with Lu Tong at the entrance of the Fan mansion. At that time, Pei Yunying had suspected Lu Tong had picked it up and had even gone with Duan Xiaoyan to probe around at Renxin Medical Hall, but to no avail.

At the time, Duan Xiaoyan thought Pei Yunying was being overly suspicious. After all, what would a respectable doctor like Lu Tong want with his purse?

Now he understood – it was meant to be used at this moment.

Yet Duan Xiaoyan still couldn’t comprehend why Lu Tong would frame him.

He had shown nothing but respect toward Lu Tong and had even spoken countless good words about her in front of Pei Yunying.

Instead of showing gratitude, how could Doctor Lu repay kindness with enmity?

The youth’s face was overflowing with grievance, looking exactly like the black dog in the courtyard when it couldn’t get to a bone, deeply hurt.

Pei Yunying glanced at him and snorted with a laugh, his smile carrying a hint of mockery.

“She’s not trying to frame you, she’s trying to frame me.”

A doctor who would hide a rotting pig’s head under her bed, a doctor who would bury half a pig carcass in a courtyard in the dead of night – last night was simply a play she had boldly performed for everyone to see.

The twists and turns were all for the sake of the final climax – that male corpse at the foot of Wangchun Mountain.

A cold crow perched in the courtyard, landing on a branch and cawing twice. Pei Yunying lowered his head and picked up a xiezhi paperweight from the desk to fiddle with, his eyes dark and unreadable.

Bai Shouyi who made the report, and Du’s cousin who appeared as a witness – they were just roles she had arranged in advance for this play, though amusing that these two were unaware they were part of the plot. The military post’s Shen Fengying, along with himself, had become the audience for this performance.

In other words, at least since the last time when Lu Tong picked up Duan Xiaoyan’s purse but pretended not to know, she had already planned what would happen days later.

She had already noticed his suspicions, yet continued to feign helplessness while maneuvering around him, quietly planning and arranging, utilizing every person she could. She was determined to drag him into this muddy water as well.

The imperial examination case was related to her, and the corpse at the foot of Wangchun Mountain couldn’t be separated from her involvement. In the end, last night’s search cleared the medical hall of suspicion, and Shen Fengying became dissatisfied with Bai Shouyi, it also disrupted Du Changqing’s relationship with his cousin, Duan Xiaoyan was framed, and the Palace Front Court was thrown into passive position overnight.

While she remained pure and clean, completely untainted.

Pei Yunying lowered his eyes, his expression turning cold.

This was a warning.

From beside him came Duan Xiaoyan’s hesitant voice: “But, that person who died on Wangchun Mountain last night, was it related to Doctor Lu?”

“The coroner said he killed himself. Could Doctor Lu, with those thin arms and legs, really kill someone? That can’t be possible, right?”

Even at this point, still thinking about speaking up for Lu Tong – Pei Yunying sneered.

“Those thin arms and legs could kill ten of you and bury you where no one would find you.”

Duan Xiaoyan was left speechless.

Pei Yunying paused, suddenly put down the xiezhi paperweight, and stood up.

“Are you going out?”

Pei Yunying picked up the silver knife from the table: “The three offices have probably all received the news by now. I’m going to handle it.”

He walked to the door, suddenly stopped, and turned back to say: “Don’t go looking for Lu Tong.”

“Huh?”

Pei Yunying smiled slightly, his pitch-black eyes seemingly tinged with a light frost.

“She’s a madwoman. Stay away from her. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, even I won’t be able to save you all.”

…

The morning mist gradually dispersed.

The sun slowly climbed up from the foot of Wangchun Mountain, crossing over the river under Falling Moon Bridge, spreading its golden light across the entire Sheng capital.

In the small courtyard of Scholar Wu’s home behind the fish market on West Street, the memorial hall was crowded with scholars sleeping in disarray.

Wu Youcai’s body had been claimed yesterday.

Led by Merchant Hu, the poetry society members had pooled money to buy a coffin for Wu Youcai, set up a memorial hall in Wu’s small courtyard, and invited the blind fortune-teller He to perform a ceremony for him.

Blind He said that Wu Youcai’s suicide was an unnatural death, his resentful energy was deep, and the body needed to be kept for seven days before choosing an auspicious date for burial to appease the resentful spirit. During these seven days, it would be best to have several men keep vigil in the memorial hall, as abundant yang energy could suppress the yin and darkness.

The young scholars thought Blind He was talking nonsense, just trying to swindle more money for performing ceremonies. However, Merchant Hu immediately agreed, saying he would cover all expenses during the vigil period. Wu the scholar had been his acquaintance, and for this final journey in the mortal world, he should be sent off with dignity and decorum.

So everyone brought blankets and light clothing, informed their families last night, and came together to Wu’s home to keep vigil for the deceased Scholar Wu.

Under the eaves, frost had condensed into dewdrops, suddenly dripping onto the face of someone near the door. That person twitched his nose, sneezed, and slowly opened his eyes.

Old Man Xun had awakened.

He was also an old acquaintance of Wu Youcai. On the day of the imperial examination, Wu Youcai’s first examination booth had been next to his. Old Man Xun had personally seen Wu the scholar’s unseeing eyes in death and had also shed endless tears over Wu Youcai’s tragic fate.

So despite his advanced age, he had also brought his bedding to Wu’s home to send Scholar Wu on his final journey.

The memorial hall was quiet, with only the faint sound of young scholars’ light snoring.

Last night was the first night of the vigil. Merchant Hu had set up a tent in the courtyard and specially invited a theater troupe to the memorial hall to perform “The Old Scholar Becomes Number One Scholar at Eighty” for Wu Youcai.

As for how others viewed this performance with its music and singing, at least Old Man Xun watched until his face was covered in tears and snot. Even after the performance ended, the actors left, and everyone else had fallen asleep, Old Man Xun was still repeatedly savoring it with tears in his eyes.

Old Man Xun wiped his face, sat up straight, and looked around while rubbing his old back.

Merchant Hu was sprawled on the ground mat, sleeping soundly while hugging a hot water bottle. Scattered among the floral cloth spread on the ground were some cloud-shaped cakes, red dates, and assorted candies – leftover snacks from watching the performance last night.

In the center sat a black lacquered coffin. Wu Youcai’s death had been sudden, and there weren’t many ready-made coffins to choose from at the coffin shop, so Merchant Hu had made the decision to pick the one with the best craftsmanship.

Now that coffin sat quietly in the memorial hall, black and heavy. For some unknown reason, Old Man Xun suddenly shuddered.

He thought he was cold from wearing too little and turned back to look for a thin blanket. As he turned his head, he heard a rustling sound coming from behind him.

Old Man Xun froze.

The sound was very faint, thin, and sharp, like the sound of rat claws scratching against a wall.

But perhaps because the morning on West Street was too quiet, or perhaps because the wind in the memorial hall was too cold and gloomy, in any case, amid the dead silence, this thin scratching sound seemed to scratch at Old Man Xun’s scalp, causing a chill to suddenly run through him from head to toe.

No, this sound… why did it seem to be coming from inside the coffin?

Old Man Xun stiffly turned around.

The scratching continued, and this time it was clear – the sound was indeed coming from inside the coffin.

In an instant, Old Man Xun was drenched in sweat.

The fortune-teller Blind He had said Wu Youcai’s resentment would be hard to dispel, that he might become a vengeful ghost. Everyone had dismissed the blind man’s words as nonsense to extort money, but could it be true? Indeed, how could Wu Youcai be willing to reincarnate after dying so unjustly? Perhaps in his overwhelming resentment, his soul was lingering, wanting to turn this whole place into a haunted house.

Old Man Xun’s withered face trembled non-stop as he advised in a shaking voice:

“Youcai, I know you’re not willing to let go, but what’s past is past, you can’t dwell on it… Those who harmed you have already been sent to the imperial prison. Reincarnate properly, and become an official or young master in your next life. After bitterness comes sweetness – don’t cling to the mortal world…”

The scratching sound grew louder.

Old Man Xun continued speaking with gritted teeth: “If you really can’t let go and insist on becoming a vengeful ghost, at least don’t target the wrong people… There’s a head to every grievance and a master to every debt. We’re all here to help you – I even contributed money for your coffin…”

His muttering woke up Merchant Hu nearby, who rolled over and sat up, looking at Old Man Xun in a daze.

“Old Xun, what are you mumbling about?”

Old Man Xun didn’t answer him, his eyes fixed straight ahead, his legs trembling non-stop.

Merchant Hu grew suspicious and followed his gaze, immediately feeling his scalp go numb.

The black lacquered coffin lay heavily in the center of the memorial hall. The coffin lid had somehow been pushed halfway open, and a hand was resting on the edge of the coffin, as if about to sit up from inside.

As if sensing the fear of the two men in the memorial hall, the next moment, a face appeared before them.

Wu Youcai wore a new silk square kerchief and a newly made green round-collared burial robe embroidered with yuan bao patterns. His face was painted red and white as he looked at the two of them and spoke softly.

“Hu…”

A scream pierced the air above the Wu household.

“Ghost! There’s a ghost!”

“Youcai has come back from the dead—”

…

When news of Wu Youcai rising from the dead reached Renxin Medical Hall, Du Changqing was sweeping in the small courtyard. The patrol soldiers had made a mess of the medical hall last night, and they had to clean up after themselves.

Ah, Cheng stood in front of him, so excited his eyes were shining as he gestured frantically to Du Changqing.

“…They say the ox-headed and horse-faced hell guards took Brother Wu’s soul away, ghost soldiers with blue faces and fangs had nooses around his neck and dragged him to the underworld. The Ten Kings of Hell had the judge bring out the case files, and when the court began, they discovered Brother Wu had lived his whole life honestly, studying diligently, putting filial piety first, and never doing anything wrong. It turned out his predestined lifespan wasn’t over yet – he had entered the hell palace by mistake, so they had the minor ghosts send him back.”

Du Changqing frowned as he listened: “These are Wu the scholar’s own words?”

Ah Cheng nodded vigorously: “That’s right! You can see the Kings of Hell truly distinguish between good and evil, they won’t wrong a good person! Because of this incident, the City God Temple has been getting many more incense offerings. Master, should we go offer some incense too?”

This story sounded both true and untrue. Du Changqing turned his head to call out: “Doctor Lu—”

Ah Cheng stopped him: “Master, did you forget? Doctor Lu went out early this morning to buy things?”

Du Changqing was at a loss for words.

Lu Tong had indeed left early in the morning. Last night those patrol soldiers had entered Lu Tong’s room and thrown her writing papers everywhere, breaking many vessels.

Lu Tong needed paper to write prescriptions daily, so she had gone out with Yin Zheng in the morning, saying she was going to the stationery shop.

Of course, she had left so early also to avoid witnessing Du Changqing sending Xia Rongrong away.

Du Changqing had sent Xia Rongrong away this morning.

Before leaving, Xia Rongrong had clung to his arm crying, admitting her mistakes and saying she wanted to apologize to Lu Tong personally, but was refused by Du Changqing.

Du Changqing had known Xia Rongrong since childhood, and over the years, he had turned a blind eye to her harmless self-interest. In this world, everyone has self-interest – it’s not wrong to consider oneself more.

But Xia Rongrong’s mistake was in secretly joining forces with Bai Shouyi, which violated Du Changqing’s greatest taboo.

Since Xia Rongrong had known him since childhood, she should have been clear about the despicable methods Bai Shouyi used when dealing with Renxin Medical Hall. Xia Rongrong secretly associating with Bai Shouyi behind his back meant joining with outsiders against her people. If Xia Rongrong had even the slightest regard for him as her cousin, she wouldn’t have done such a thing.

Xia Rongrong wiped her tears, standing before the carriage gazing at him pitifully, trying to evoke some of their past affection.

“Cousin, have you forgotten how close we used to be? When you were sick at age seven, no one in the Du family noticed, but my mother went to fetch a doctor for you in the night, taking care of you all night. The next day, her eyes were red from staying up…”

He smiled bitterly: “But cousin, we’ve grown up now.”

They were no longer children. Back then, he was the young master of the Du family, able to give Xia Rongrong toys, rouge, and money, but that was the extent of it. Now he was just the owner of a broken-down medical hall – he couldn’t give Xia Rongrong what she wanted.

Xiangcao helped Xia Rongrong into the carriage. He gave Xia Rongrong some money, enough for her to stay in the Sheng capital for a while longer. As for whether Xia Rongrong would continue staying in the capital or return home afterward, he didn’t know, nor did he want to know anymore.

Du Changqing threw down the broom in his hand and looked at the distant sky with a self-mocking smile.

Whatever – he wasn’t a living Buddha, how could he take care of everyone?

Renxin Medical Hall already had one living Buddha in Lu Tong, and that was enough.

…

The living Buddha of Renxin Medical Hall was currently walking through the market streets with Yin Zheng.

Last night’s search by the patrol soldiers had damaged many vessels, and since Du Changqing also felt Lu Tong had been frightened, he simply gave her a day off, letting Lu Tong and Yin Zheng go out to browse and buy some supplies needed for the medical hall.

Tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the city streets were especially lively and crowded everywhere. A stage had been set up in the tile district, where the performance had the audience completely enthralled.

Yin Zheng walked beside Lu Tong, carrying newly bought sugar candies and apricot slices, her gaze hesitating several times on Lu Tong’s face.

Lu Tong asked: “What is it?”

Yin Zheng smiled, her eyes curved like crescent moons.

“Miss, you’re wearing rouge today!”

Lu Tong was naturally beautiful, with red lips and white teeth. She usually never wore makeup at the medical hall, but today she had surprisingly applied a thin layer of rouge.

The rouge was a gift from Du Changqing, who said it was new stock from Mingyu Studio last month, costing him nearly half a string of cash. Du Changqing complained that Lu Tong dressed more plainly than his deceased grandmother, saying that a young lady like her should occasionally take care of her appearance.

But Lu Tong had immediately locked it away in a chest, and it was Yin Zheng who had secretly taken it out again and placed it on the dressing table.

Unexpectedly, Lu Tong had used it on her face today.

Lu Tong frowned: “Is it strange?”

“Not at all!” Yin Zheng hurriedly waved her hands and smiled, “It looks very beautiful!”

This was no lie. Lu Tong’s features were naturally beautiful, but she usually appeared cold and indifferent and didn’t care for dressing up, so her beauty was inevitably somewhat concealed. However, today she wore a tea-yellow Chang’an bamboo-patterned cotton dress, with fresh osmanthus velvet flowers dotting her braided hair. With her snow-white skin and black hair, willow eyebrows and apricot eyes, and the faint red tint on her lips, she surpassed both orchids and chrysanthemums in beauty.

Yin Zheng thought to herself that if such a beautiful young lady weren’t working as a doctor at the medical hall, at this age she would be waiting for marriage proposals in her boudoir, and suitors would probably wear down the threshold of her door.

Just as she was thinking this, Lu Tong beside her stopped walking and looked ahead.

Yin Zheng followed her gaze.

Before them was an empty mansion.

Outside the vermillion main gate, the exquisitely carved lanterns that had once hung under the eaves had all been torn down, and scattered messily on the ground. Official seals were like two light yet heavy chains, tightly locking the main gate. On the doorframe, half of a golden plaque hung crookedly, as if it might completely fall at any moment.

It seemed that not long ago this had still been an imposing vermillion gate of a wealthy household, but in just a few days, it had become desolate and ruined, devoid of people, like an empty haunted house that others avoided.

Lu Tong lowered her eyes.

This was the mansion of Fan Zhenglian, the Detailed Judgment Official of the Court of Judicial Review.

Fan Zhenglian had now been sent to the imperial prison, his family members and relatives all implicated, and the servants in the mansion either fled or scattered. Although the Justice Division had not yet concluded this case, every family had officials serving in the capital – with just a little inquiry, one would know that the Fan family’s situation was not looking optimistic.

Even the Vice Minister of Rites could find no help – what more a Detailed Judgment Official of the Court of Judicial Review? Although one needs ladders to climb up in officialdom when those who set up the ladders meet with misfortune, those on the ladders naturally cannot preserve themselves either.

Fan Zhenglian’s chances were slim this time – the falling of that other half of the plaque was just a matter of time.

Lu Tong raised her head looking at the Fan family plaque, lost in thought for a moment, when suddenly she heard someone call out to her from behind.

“Doctor Lu?”

Yin Zheng and she both started, then turned around.

A few steps away from the Fan mansion stood a tall man. This man had thick eyebrows and large eyes, his face haggard and tired, his gaze full of surprise as he looked at Lu Tong.

Lu Tong’s gaze flickered as she said: “Recorder Qi.”

It was that recorder from the Court of Judicial Review, Fan Zhenglian’s most valued subordinate, Qi Chuan.