The following day was the fifteenth of the eighth lunar month, marking the midpoint of autumn – the Mid-Autumn Festival in Shengjing.

Early in the morning, the rich aroma of osmanthus wine wafted through the entire West Street.

Du Changqing and A’cheng arrived earlier than usual. Du Changqing wore an apricot-yellow round-collared robe with an embroidered waistband, while A’cheng wore a light yellow round-collared short garment. Both were specially dressed in new autumn clothes, standing beneath the plum tree at the entrance like two vibrant golden osmanthus branches.

When Lu Tong and Yin Zheng came out from the shop, Du Changqing first hesitated to comment on Yin Zheng’s lilac-colored embroidered skirt, but when he saw Lu Tong who followed, his gaze lingered on her worn deep blue cotton dress, and he froze.

After a while, he wiped his face and pointed at Lu Tong, speaking with exasperation: “Doctor Lu, is it that I’m not paying you enough monthly salary, or what? Why do you always dress so shabbily? If others see this, they’ll think our medical shop is going bankrupt tomorrow.”

Lu Tong remained unmoved.

Most of the time, she stayed in the shop, and unlike Du Changqing, she wasn’t particular about clothing – as long as it was wearable, it was fine.

Yin Zheng put her hands on her hips and protested: “What’s shabby about these clothes? They’re neither torn nor damaged. The fine-woven gold-threaded harmonious skirt from Ming Yu Zhai might not be shabby, but it costs twenty taels of silver – is Manager Du willing to pay for it?”

“Stop trying to provoke this young master.” Du Changqing snorted, “It’s one thing to dress like this normally, but today we’re going out to eat. Dressed so shabbily, I’m afraid the restaurant won’t let you in.”

Lu Tong: “Eating out?”

A’cheng said with a grin: “The owner said that since it’s the fifteenth today, and Doctor Lu has been in Shengjing for half a year now, he’s reserved a table for lunch at the Renhe Restaurant by New Gate Bridge, inviting everyone from our medical shop to try it.”

Lu Tong looked at Du Changqing, who cleared his throat: “Since you all came to the medical shop, it has been revived from death, like a withered tree meeting spring. As the owner, I feel deeply gratified.”

“This young master isn’t someone who doesn’t know gratitude. Today I’ll take you to broaden your horizons, so don’t say later that I’m stingy.”

Shengjing had numerous restaurants and taverns, and on Mid-Autumn night, many wealthy families preferred to climb towers to admire the moon and bet on the jade rabbit. At this time, restaurants were always busy. It was truly thoughtful of the usually frugal Du Changqing to be willing to spend money this time.

Lu Tong’s mind stirred, and she suddenly spoke: “In that case, why not go to Feng Le Tower?”

Feng Le Tower was where her sister Lu Rou had encountered people from the Grand Tutor’s mansion.

Du Changqing choked, meeting Lu Tong’s genuinely puzzled gaze, turned his head away, and said irritably: “You’re thinking too big. A table at Feng Le Tower costs nearly a hundred taels of silver. If my old man hadn’t died, I might have been able to take you there to splurge. But now, forget it.”

Lu Tong showed disappointment.

Seeing this, Du Changqing laughed in exasperation: “I hadn’t noticed that Doctor Lu was so vain. Besides, even if I were willing to spend the money, we couldn’t get a table. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and all the better restaurants have been fully booked by those officials and wealthy families. Being able to take you to Renhe Restaurant is already thanks to the owner keeping a table for us due to our usual business relationship.”

Lu Tong thought for a moment and said: “Then thank you, but Yin Zheng and I need to deliver medicine first. After delivering the medicine, we’ll return to the medical shop to change clothes.”

“Deliver medicine?” His brows furrowed, “What medicine?”

Yin Zheng put the medicine box on the table, “The Wen Prince Manor needs several jars of ‘Xianxian.’ We should have delivered them days ago, but their people said today is the fifteenth, and the Princess Consort is hosting a daytime banquet for the ladies to celebrate the festival. Miss thought that with many people there, delivering medicine would help attract more customers, so she specifically arranged to deliver today.”

Previously, when Lu Tong had visited the Fan Manor to diagnose and deliver medicine for Zhao Feiyan, Zhao Feiyan had quickly become slender within a few months, making quite an impression at the Summer Viewing Banquet. When other ladies asked Zhao Feiyan about it, she didn’t want to reveal that Lu Tong had treated her with acupuncture, so she attributed all credit to “Xianxian.”

As a result, the medical shop’s order book gained many name cards from noble and official families.

These families, proud of their status and haughty in manner, sometimes would just send someone to say a word, asking Lu Tong to deliver in person, and Lu Tong would deliver to each one.

However, her reason for postponing the delivery to today wasn’t to attract customers as Yin Zheng had claimed, but rather because she had been busy with the Liu Kun poisoning case and the nighttime military search in recent days, and only today had free time.

Du Changqing, however, believed Yin Zheng’s casual lie and his gaze toward Lu Tong suddenly showed more approval.

“Doctor Lu, I’m touched that you think of the medical shop in everything you do. Having you as our resident doctor, I believe our medical shop will surely be dining at Yu Xian Tower by the next Mid-Autumn Festival.”

He waved his hand grandly, “Go ahead, the sooner you go, the sooner you’ll return!”

Lu Tong didn’t say more to him, shouldered the medicine box, and left through the medical shop’s main gate with Yin Zheng.

Du Changqing lazily sprawled on the counter, watching their retreating figures while tossing a black date into his mouth, asking A’cheng: “Hey, which family did she say they were going to just now?”

“I think it was the Wen Prince Manor?”

“Wen Prince Manor?” Du Changqing’s date-chewing motion paused, he spat out half a date pit with a “pui” and cursed, “Bad luck.”

A’cheng was puzzled: “What’s wrong, owner?”

“Don’t you remember?” Du Changqing rolled his eyes, “That pretty boy named Pei who was raided at our place the other night, isn’t his sister the Princess Consort of the Wen Prince Manor?”

…

The Wen Prince Manor was located near the North Imperial Heaven Street in Shengjing, backed by vast gardens. When the old prince was alive, to please his wife, he had planted large patches of flowers in the courtyard, creating spectacular scenery throughout the four seasons.

After the old prince and his wife passed away, the manor’s gardens and landscapes were still preserved, and on festivals and celebrations, the manor often held banquets to entertain guests and enjoy the scenery.

Today was no different.

Silk brocade was spread over the bamboo couch, and a small bunch of golden osmanthus was arranged in a fine white porcelain vase on the table, filling the room with the clear, sweet fragrance of osmanthus.

A woman reclined absent-mindedly against the bamboo couch, wearing a light gold wide-sleeved chrysanthemum silk dress. A maid approached from the side, draping a cloud brocade pearl-adorned cape over her shoulders.

Pei Yunyu came to her senses as Fangzi smiled and said: “The autumn days are cold, my lady, please be careful not to catch a chill.”

“I don’t know why, but I’ve been feeling unusually hot these past few days.” Pei Yunyu sighed, raising her hand to touch her protruding belly, then looked at Fangzi with a puzzled expression, “Could it be that all pregnancies are like this in the later stages?”

Fangzi had never given birth and didn’t understand medical principles, so she could only smile awkwardly: “This… your servant doesn’t know.”

Pei Yunyu tucked the cape around herself but still felt hot, so she opened the window wider.

Looking out from the window, faint sounds of laughter could be heard from the distant courtyard gardens, with occasional glimpses of people moving about. The Wen Prince Manor usually didn’t receive many visitors, and it had been a long time since it had been this lively.

Today was the fifteenth, Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Wen Prince Manor had laid out a feast to entertain guests. As she, the Princess Consort, was with child and had limited mobility, all the manor’s banquet arrangements fell to the secondary consort Meng Xiyan.

However, even if Pei Yunyu hadn’t been pregnant, she wouldn’t have voluntarily taken up the task of making arrangements. She had never been patient with these social niceties between noble families, especially since it was common knowledge that her position as primary consort in the Wen Prince Manor was merely nominal, so there was no point in asking for trouble.

Qiongying brought in a basket of mooncakes from outside and set the basket on the table. Pei Yunyu raised her eyes, and seeing the brocade on the red wooden basket, her eyes curved in a smile.

“Is it from A’ying?”

Qiongying smiled: “Yes. The young master had them delivered to the manor early this morning, saying they were new mooncakes from Red Joy Shop in the capital, six flavors in one basket, but since my lady is with child, it’s best not to eat too many, just taste a little.”

The manor had also prepared mooncakes, but Fangzi was cautious and didn’t dare let Pei Yunyu taste them. In fact, not just mooncakes, but since Pei Yunyu became pregnant, all food and daily necessities in the manor were carefully screened by the two of them to avoid any mishaps.

Pei Yunyu responded with a sound, then asked Qiongying: “A’ying isn’t coming today?”

“The Emperor is hosting a banquet in the Lin Garden, and the Empress Dowager specifically summoned the young master to attend.”

Pei Yunyu nodded, then suddenly remembered something and tentatively asked Qiongying: “At today’s palace banquet, which noble persons will be present?”

Qiongying was startled and shook her head: “Your servant doesn’t know.”

Pei Yunyu thought for a moment but didn’t say anything, though a trace of worry crossed her brow.

A few days ago, when the Wen Prince visited her chambers, he had revealed a piece of news in conversation. It was said that the Empress Dowager intended to arrange a marriage for Pei Yunying.

Pei Yunyu wasn’t surprised. Pei Yunying spent his days walking in and out of the imperial presence, was of the right age, and had gained special favor from the Empress Dowager and Emperor for his merit in saving the Emperor’s life. Young and promising, and a close minister to the Emperor, many at court wished to form marriage ties with the Pei family.

However, everyone at the court knew of Pei Yunying’s poor relationship with the Duke of Shao Ning and his son. The Duke of Shao Ning might not have much say in Pei Yunying’s marriage matters.

If one wanted to arrange a marriage, it would be easier to approach the Emperor and Empress Dowager instead.

However, Pei Yunyu, as his sister, knew her brother’s personality best. Though he appeared agreeable and easy to talk to, he was stubborn and had his ideas, especially after what happened to their mother years ago, Pei Yunying became even more resistant to the idea of marriage. His defiant side was always hidden behind his bright smile, and if the Empress Dowager were to hastily arrange a marriage, it might not be a happy occasion for the Pei family.

At the time, Pei Yunyu had indirectly asked the Wen Prince which noble family’s daughter Empress Dowager had her eye on, but the Wen Prince had changed the subject, unwilling to tell her more.

Today’s imperial banquet would have many noble persons present, and perhaps among them was the one the Empress Dowager had chosen for the marriage alliance.

But which family could it be?

After being lost in thought for a while, Pei Yunyu shook her head. There was no use in her worrying about it here, things would work themselves out when the time came. Besides, perhaps the Empress Dowager’s choice would be someone her brother liked best, and he would be eager to agree, so there was no need for her to worry needlessly.

She sighed and casually picked up a small clay figurine from the table to play with. The figurine was made in the shape of a child, brightly painted and decorated with pearls and jade, quite adorable.

Seeing this, Fangzi smiled and said: “Why is my lady sighing? In not too long, you’ll be meeting the young prince or princess. If the young prince or princess were to see this, they might think my lady is impatient with them.”

“Nonsense, how could I be impatient with them?”

Pei Yunyu lowered her head, looking at her swollen belly, a slight smile appearing at the corners of her mouth.

Only two months until the birth.

She hoped everything would go smoothly.

…

In the Prince’s Manor, Lu Tong and Yin Zheng were following a servant maid to the back kitchen.

Since coming to Shengjing, Lu Tong has visited many wealthy households.

The Ke family residence was bright and intricate, the Fan family mansion was extremely luxurious, but the Wen Prince Manor was different.

The manor contained vast gardens with pavilions scattered throughout, winding ponds, fragrant courtyards, and complete collections of flowers. It was said that when the palace held flower viewings in the imperial gardens, some of the flowers came from the Xun Fang Garden of the Wen Prince Manor.

Now in golden autumn, upon entering the manor, clusters of golden osmanthus glittered everywhere, their cool fragrance immediately enveloping visitors.

The leading maid, seeing Yin Zheng’s expression of amazement, concealed the contempt in her eyes and smiled: “Today the manor is hosting a banquet, everyone is busy in the back garden. Once you deliver the medicine to the kitchen, you can leave.”

Lu Tong remained silent.

Delivering medicine usually only required reaching the manor gate, but instructions for storing and using the medicinal tea needed to be explained item by item. Lu Tong and Yin Zheng delivered the medicine to the kitchen, thoroughly explained everything that needed to be explained, and only then withdrew.

The guiding maid handed the consultation fee to Yin Zheng and smiled at Lu Tong: “If the lady finds it effective, we’ll have to trouble you to make another trip and bring more medicinal tea.”

Yin Zheng quickly replied: “Of course.”

Lu Tong also responded softly. As the guiding maid was about to escort them out, unexpectedly a hesitant voice came from behind.

“Doctor Lu?”

Lu Tong paused, turned around, and saw a woman standing a few steps away, her hair done up in a high bun with pearl hairpins, looking at her in surprise.

Madam Dong?

Lu Tong was slightly surprised.

She hadn’t expected to encounter Dong Lin’s mother here, the wife of the Director of the Imperial Treasury.

Lu Tong nodded: “Madam Dong.”

Madam Dong took two steps toward her, her gaze lingering briefly on the medicine box she carried, somewhat curious, “Why is Doctor Lu here? Is someone ill in the Prince’s Manor?”

Hearing this, the guiding maid, afraid of misunderstanding, quickly gave Lu Tong a gentle push from behind.

Lu Tong then said: “No. I came to deliver ‘Xianxian’ to the Prince’s Manor.”

“Xianxian?” Madam Dong was stunned for a moment, then smiled, “Doctor Lu’s business has reached the Prince’s Manor, it seems Renxin Medical Shop’s reputation is quite good now.”

Lu Tong smiled in response: “It’s all thanks to madam’s earlier help. Those families only came to buy medicine after hearing madam’s recommendations, given your noble connections.”

Madam Dong loved hearing about her good relationships with others. Hearing this, she was delighted, and looking at Lu Tong again, she found this young female doctor even more tactful and better-spoken than most young people nowadays, no wonder the Shao Ning Duke’s heir showed such favor toward her.

Thinking of Pei Yunying, Madam Dong suddenly had an idea.

She looked at Lu Tong, her eyes flickering, took Lu Tong’s hand, and said intimately: “Today is Mid-Autumn Festival, the Prince’s Manor is hosting a banquet for guests, I’m here to attend.”

“You’ve come at a good time. The banquet hasn’t started yet, and many ladies and young misses have already arrived. Come with me, I’ll tell them about your medicinal tea, and if you have some jars with you, you can let them try it, making the most of this opportunity. How about it?”

Lu Tong was somewhat surprised.

Though Madam Dong was smiling, she had her considerations.

A few days ago, when her husband was chatting with her, he had mentioned the Shao Ning Duke’s heir, now the Commander of the Imperial Guard, Pei Yunying.

After the imperial examination case in the capital, many officials in the Ministry of Rites were implicated, and everyone at the court felt insecure. Under the emperor’s anger, he instead increasingly favored Pei Yunying. Today in Mid-Autumn, the emperor was hosting a banquet in Ming Lin Garden, and apart from royal princes and family members, only those in high favor could enter the garden, with Pei Yunying among them.

The royal family’s trust in Pei Yunying was evident to all.

Such a young man would surely have limitless prospects, so it wouldn’t hurt to build more connections.

Though Pei Yunying’s thoughts were hard to gauge, he showed particular closeness to Lu Tong from Renxin Medical Shop. Madam Dong considered herself on good terms with Lu Tong, and now at the banquet, doing Lu Tong a favor might make future interactions with the Pei family much easier.

Having made up her mind, Madam Dong had Lu Tong bring her medicine box and Yin Zheng, planning to make a brief appearance at the banquet before leaving.

In Xun Fang Garden, the feast was laid out amidst precious ornaments and rocks. In the flowing cup pavilion, the noble ladies who had already arrived sat sideways, watching wine cups float past in the winding channels, their clear laughter unceasing.

As soon as Lu Tong arrived at Xun Fang Garden with Madam Dong, some ladies greeted her: “Madam Dong, why have you come so late today?” Then noticing Lu Tong beside her, they showed confusion: “This is…?”

Lu Tong’s attire was simple, unlike the noble ladies present, but she didn’t seem like a servant given Madam Dong’s intimate treatment of her.

Madam Dong pulled Lu Tong forward: “This is Doctor Lu from Renxin Medical Shop. I knew her before and just met her in the manor, so I brought her to see you all.”

Seeing the evaluating glances from the ladies, Madam Dong smiled and added: “Don’t underestimate her. That popular medicinal tea ‘Xianxian’ that’s been trending in our Shengjing lately was made by her.”

At these words, the ladies’ eyes immediately lit up, and they gathered around.

The “Xianxian” medicinal tea had been talked about since the Summer Viewing Banquet, as Madam Zhao Feiyan, wife of the Detail Official, had made quite an impression with her slender figure. Afterward, many people went to buy this medicinal tea, though some thought it was exaggerated and didn’t believe in it.

But today at the Prince Manor’s grand banquet, with Madam Dong personally introducing someone, even the skeptics began to consider trying it. After all, if Madam Dong was vouching for her in front of so many people, it must have some effect.

A young lady asked Lu Tong: “Do you have any medicinal tea with you now?”

Lu Tong replied: “Yes.” She opened her medicine box, took out several jars of “Xianxian” to hand over, and spoke softly.

“I’m very sorry, I left in a hurry today and only brought this many jars. If any ladies would like more, I can note down your residences and personally deliver them later.”

Hearing this, the ladies became even more interested, gathering close to having Lu Tong record their names. Watching this, Madam Dong gave Lu Tong a meaningful look.

Those present today were all women from high official and noble families. By recording these names and visiting each home, Lu Tong would gain many connections. These connections might not just become paths for the Pei family…

Even if not thinking of Pei Yunying, her small medical shop connecting with so many wealthy families would only benefit future business if even one family maintained contact. After all, in Shengjing, wealth, glory, and endless benefits were always interconnected, never standing alone.

Just as she was secretly admiring Lu Tong’s cleverness, suddenly a woman’s smiling voice came from behind.

“Why is everyone gathered in a circle? What’s so exciting?”

Everyone turned to look, and Lu Tong raised her eyes to see several maids accompanying a young woman walking gracefully from behind the pavilion.

This woman wore a pomegranate red dress with peonies and butterflies woven in silk, her black hair elegantly styled with a gold filigree ruby hairpin inserted at an angle. Coral earrings dangled by her ears, accentuating her jade-white skin, willow eyebrows like smoke, and eyes like clear water. As she approached, her body ornaments clinked melodiously, exuding charm.

The seated ladies rose, calling her “Lady Yan.”

Lady Yan?

As Lu Tong watched “Lady Yan” approach gracefully, Madam Dong beside her gently pulled her sleeve and whispered in her ear.

“This is the Prince Manor’s secondary consort, Meng Xiyan.”

So she was the secondary consort.

Before Lu Tong could speak, she heard Madam Dong continue to instruct, “If she speaks to you later, remember, whatever you do, don’t mention Young Master Pei.”

Lu Tong was startled: “Why?”

“Don’t you know?” Madam Dong looked at her in surprise, “Princess Consort Pei Yunyu and Young Master Pei are blood siblings from the same mother. The Princess Consort and Meng Xiyan have never gotten along. If she knows you’re the Commander’s person, she’ll find ways to make things difficult for you. What’s this,” Madam Dong’s eyes flickered, “Young Master Pei hasn’t told you about this?”

Lu Tong shook her head, though her heart stirred slightly.

She had heard from Du Changqing that the Shao Ning Duke’s household had the eldest daughter, Pei Yunying’s sister, who had married and left the family many years ago. Lu Tong only knew that Miss Pei had married into a noble family in Shengjing, but hadn’t inquired about the specific details.

She hadn’t expected her to be the Princess Consort of the Wen Prince Manor.

However, while the Prince’s Manor was hosting a celebration, why wasn’t the Princess Consort in charge, while this secondary consort was surrounded by attendants, looking every bit the manor’s mistress with her arrogant bearing?

As Lu Tong was pondering this, Secondary Consort Meng Xiyan had heard about Lu Tong from others and cast a casual glance her way, appearing unimpressed.

Lu Tong remained silent for a moment, then rose to bow to Madam Dong.

“Madam, the feast is about to begin, I should take my leave.”

Madam Dong thought for a moment and nodded: “Very well.”

This was, after all, the Prince’s Manor and not the Dong household. While casual conversation was fine, Lu Tong, being of humble status, had no right to join the feast. Though Madam Dong wanted to do Lu Tong a favor, she wouldn’t offend the ladies or displease the Prince’s Manor for Lu Tong’s sake.

However, looking at the long list of names Lu Tong had just recorded, it seemed she had gained quite a lot today, so the favor could be considered delivered.

Madam Dong smiled: “Come visit me at my manor in a few days for a chat.”

Lu Tong responded gently, adjusted her medicine box, and was about to leave with Yin Zheng when suddenly they heard someone calling anxiously from behind the pavilion: “My lady, my lady, something terrible has happened—”

This sudden voice shattered the banquet’s joyful atmosphere. Everyone immediately fell silent and looked ahead, and Lu Tong’s steps halted.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, a maid in green clothes stumbled past the flower beds and rushed to Meng Xiyan’s feet, falling to her knees with a thud.

Meng Xiyan looked down at the person at her feet, raising an eyebrow, her voice carrying a hint of anger: “What are you shouting about so recklessly?”

The maid looked up, her face filled with terror as she looked at Meng Xiyan.

“My lady, something’s happened. Someone from the Princess Consort’s courtyard just said the Princess Consort suddenly has unbearable pain in her belly, they fear it’s affecting the baby. She’s in great distress right now, please go quickly to see!”