After the Cold Dew solar term, the weather suddenly turned cool.

At dusk, the lanterns in front of Renxin Medical Hall lit up.

Lu Tong had just finished organizing the medicine ledgers on the desk and was putting the unsold prepared medicines on the medicine rack. The shelf was too high, so she stood on tiptoe to reach it when a hand reached from behind her and placed the medicine jar in her hand onto the rack.

Turning around, Pei Yunying stood behind her, picking up the wind lamp from the table.

Lu Tong looked at the water clock, somewhat puzzled: “Why are you so early today?”

“After being on duty for two consecutive days, I can leave early today.” Pei Yunying carried the wind lamp and shone it into the inner shop. The inner shop was empty, with no one there.

He looked around and asked: “Where did everyone else go?”

“Looking at shops in the south of the city.”

After Old Miao left, Lu Tong managed the clinic at Renxin Medical Hall.

Sometimes during leisure time while managing the clinic, she would also try developing some new formulas. However, when writing new prescriptions now, probably influenced by Miao Liangfang and Ji Xun, as well as Chang Jin’s constant guidance at the Medical Academy, her medicine use had become much milder. But even so, the new prepared medicines from the medical hall were still highly praised by patients.

Moreover, she had previously served at the Hanlin Medical Academy. Although she later resigned citing poor health, due to Pei Yunying’s influence, she became famous throughout the capital for a time, practically becoming a living advertisement for Renxin Medical Hall.

How could Du Changqing miss such an excellent opportunity? He immediately had people find a shop front on Qinghe Street in the south of the city, specifically for selling prepared medicines, called “Renxin Pharmacy.”

However, while the “Renxin” sign was quite true to its name on West Street, it wasn’t very “benevolent” on Qinghe Street.

The same prepared medicines, with different medicine jars and wooden boxes, cost more than double the price. Yin Zheng had once gently suggested whether this was inappropriate, but was righteously refuted by Du Changqing.

“Can the rent for shops in the south of the city be the same as on West Street? Besides, the West Street one is our own shop. Moreover, you don’t understand rich people’s mentality—if you price these medicines too cheaply, they won’t want to buy them, suspecting they’re not good quality!”

“Listen to me, raising prices is definitely right!”

Though Du Changqing sometimes seemed unreliable, he had an accurate grasp of wealthy people’s psychology. Once the medicine prices increased, more and more people bought them. One willing to beat, one willing to be beaten—others couldn’t say much. It was just that business was good in the south of the city, so Yin Zheng, Du Changqing, A’Cheng and the others inevitably had to go help.

Lu Tong came out from the inner shop with her head down. Pei Yunying took her medicine box for her and asked: “Why didn’t you go?”

“You know,” Lu Tong answered: “I hate powerful people the most.”

She answered very seriously. Pei Yunying stared at her for a while, then thoughtfully said: “When you say that, it makes me feel a bit dangerous.”

Lu Tong handed him a cup of tea, which he took and drank completely.

“Why don’t you ask what it is before drinking? Aren’t you afraid I put poison in it?”

Pei Yunying smiled slightly, leaned close to her ear, and said softly: “What Doctor Lu gives me, I’d drink even if it were arsenic.”

Lu Tong: “…”

This person was always like this. Even though they’d been married for a year, he still liked to tease her deliberately. Sometimes Lu Tong was amazed by his words, wondering what they taught at the Palace Command all day.

He glanced at Lu Tong’s expression and coughed lightly: “It’s still early. Since Yin Zheng isn’t here, shall we go out for a walk?”

There were no extra medical books to organize today, and there was nothing to do at night anyway, so Lu Tong nodded: “Alright.”

…

East Panlou Street wasn’t the Qixi Festival, so it was much quieter.

It was also autumn, with desolate nights, and many vendors had already gone home. However, with fewer people it wasn’t crowded to walk around. Lu Tong and Pei Yunying were walking when they saw a small cart stall ahead.

The cart owner was a little girl, not very old, at most eleven or twelve years old. Perhaps wanting to sell everything quickly and go home early, when she finally saw tourists passing by, she eagerly called out: “Jewelry and bead strings, only a few left! Sister,” she looked up at Lu Tong passing by and smiled: “Come look at my family’s jewelry, I’ll give you a discount.”

Lu Tong paused. Before she could speak, Pei Yunying had already walked to the small cart and raised an eyebrow at her: “Pick something?”

Lu Tong laughed inwardly.

When she and Pei Yunying used to be at odds, she always felt this person wasn’t kind-hearted and had a heart of stone. Later she realized that Pei Yunying was actually soft-hearted. Every time they passed through the streets together, there were often old women and children with stalls, and he would always buy the vendors’ goods to let them go home early.

He had once said “Bad people always pretend to be good people, why does Doctor Lu do the opposite?” Actually, this sentence should be given to himself.

Fortunately, those little trinkets bought eventually all went to Bao Zhu, otherwise their home probably couldn’t store them all.

She walked to Pei Yunying’s side and looked down at the things on the cart.

Most of the bead strings and jewelry had been sold, with only a few scattered earrings left. However, she didn’t wear earrings, so she brushed aside the ones on top with her finger, and saw a corner of wood exposed under those earrings. Lu Tong reached out and picked up a wooden comb from under the earrings.

The wooden comb was curved like a half moon, lying small in her palm. Pei Yunying looked down meaningfully and suddenly said: “It’s a comb.”

“Yes.” She responded, then suddenly realized and looked up at him.

Pei Yunying looked at her leisurely.

He didn’t say anything, but Lu Tong suddenly felt somewhat guilty.

That Qixi evening, she and Pei Yunying had gone to Qiqiao Tower. Thanks to him, she found a golden magpie and exchanged it for a comb. Strictly speaking, the comb also had extraordinary significance. Later when she rejected Pei Yunying, she told him decisively that she had “already thrown it away.”

She used to act without leaving room for retreat, always feeling that future outcomes couldn’t be changed, never expecting that years later now, she really had lifted a rock to drop on her own foot.

Unable to bear the reproachful look in his eyes, Lu Tong carefully chose her words: “Actually… I didn’t mean to…”

He suddenly laughed softly.

Lu Tong’s words stopped immediately.

“Why so nervous,” Pei Yunying said leisurely: “I’m not such a petty person.” Seeing Lu Tong still frowning, he softened his tone and said helplessly: “I know you didn’t mean it back then.”

“How do you know?” She looked up.

“The Qi family’s spies later told me you had been called alone to Qi Huaying’s courtyard, so I guessed.” Pei Yunying’s smile faded as he looked at Lu Tong: “I’m sorry, I didn’t know your situation at the time.”

He had been lost and troubled over matters of the heart then, only learning later what kind of mood Lu Tong was in when she rejected his feelings, living alone and having a hard time.

Whenever he thought of it, he always felt he owed her much.

Just as he was thinking, Lu Tong tugged his sleeve and said casually: “I’ve long forgotten about the past. Besides, that comb wasn’t good-looking anyway. I think this one is better.” She gripped the comb in her hand tighter to show Pei Yunying, “Let’s buy this one. I’ll wear it tomorrow.”

He shook his head and smiled, lowering his head to pay. Lu Tong had just put away the comb when she suddenly heard a voice from ahead: “Medical Officer Lu?”

Lu Tong turned back and saw a group of people coming down the steps from a nearby restaurant. The leading official in court dress, upon seeing the two of them, ignored the people behind him and ran down the steps excitedly, saying: “Commander Pei!”

Lu Tong was stunned: “Lord Shen?”

Shen Fengying wore court dress, but unlike before, he no longer wore a sword at his waist. With wide sleeves and flowing robes, he looked different from the past. Lu Tong looked at the group of people behind him on the steps and asked puzzledly: “Lord Shen, this is…”

Hearing this, Shen Fengying was extremely proud.

“I’m now a clerk at the Wine Bureau under the Ministry of Agriculture, in charge of making wine yeast for the internal wine warehouse for brewing and sales.” He said, “Medical Officer Lu—oh no, I should call you Doctor Lu now. If you need wine brewed at your residence in the future, feel free to come find me.”

Lu Tong saw his refreshed appearance, completely different from his exhausted look when he was at the patrol office, and said: “Lord Shen looks well.”

“Of course,” Shen Fengying laughed: “To be honest with you both, serving at the patrol office before meant little money and many troubles. Now although the money is still little, there’s much less work than at the patrol office, and it’s not dangerous. Daily work is just inspecting wine, which is much more relaxing than inspecting people.” He then looked at Pei Yunying and bowed with a smile: “This is also thanks to Commander Pei.”

Lu Tong: “Pei Yunying?”

“The Wine Bureau was short-staffed, and Commander Pei recommended me. Although this position isn’t high, it’s wonderful. Now I can leave work on time every evening, much better than staying up all night at the patrol office.”

Pei Yunying said: “You passed the clerk examination yourself. It has nothing to do with me.”

“Still, I borrowed Commander Pei’s influence,” Shen Fengying said, pressing a small ceramic jar he was carrying into Lu Tong’s hands without allowing refusal: “This is osmanthus wine newly brewed by the restaurant ahead, it passed inspection. You two take it home to try, consider it a small token of my appreciation.”

“Wait…”

Before Lu Tong could speak, he lifted his robes and ran back to the stone steps, only leaving behind: “This wine isn’t expensive, so it doesn’t count as bribery. Doctor Lu can rest assured.”

This person was indeed a former patrol officer—his movements were surprisingly agile. He hurriedly left with a group of colleagues. Lu Tong looked down at the ceramic jar in her hands, then at Pei Yunying.

“Keep it.” He sighed, “I’ll have someone send money over later.”

“…Alright.”

…

After wandering around Panlou for another half hour, until the night grew deep, Lu Tong and Pei Yunying returned home.

Yin Zheng had already returned to rest. The south city shop was very busy, so Lu Tong didn’t disturb her. Since Pei Yunying still had some official business to handle, he told Lu Tong to sleep first. He finished the pending documents in his study, and it was already very late.

The Pei residence was very quiet. After he bathed and groomed himself, when he returned to the bedroom, he saw a light still glowing in the bedroom window.

Lu Tong hadn’t gone to sleep yet.

He pushed the door open and immediately saw Lu Tong sitting under the lamp, supporting her chin with one hand as if dozing, then smiled: “Didn’t I tell you to sleep first…” When his gaze swept to the table, his expression suddenly froze.

A ceramic jar lay tilted on the long table.

That ceramic jar looked somewhat familiar—the osmanthus wine that Shen Fengying had forcibly given Lu Tong when they met him at East Panlou Street today.

He was startled.

Pei Yunying reached out to right the ceramic jar and shook it. It was completely empty. Just then Lu Tong woke up, rubbed her eyes, and raised her head.

“You drank it all?” he asked in amazement.

“It was sweet.” Lu Tong looked at him strangely, “Besides, I’m immune to all poisons and have a good alcohol tolerance. You know that.”

Pei Yunying pressed his forehead.

Lu Tong was indeed immune to all poisons. Because of her experience as a medicine person, ordinary wine had no effect on her. During the Palace Command celebration banquet, Lu Tong had also joined in the festivities. In the time it took him to step out and call someone, half the Palace Command guards had been drunk under the table by Lu Tong.

It could be said that perhaps even his alcohol tolerance would pale before Lu Tong’s.

However…

That was before.

Since her health had gradually improved and Ji Xun’s medicine had taken effect on her old ailments, the alcohol she used to be immune to would naturally also be affected. In several family banquets afterward, Lu Tong’s drunkenness had gradually shown signs.

But one funny thing was that when Lu Tong got drunk, it didn’t show on her face at all. She didn’t blush or speak drunkenly, her expression remaining very clear. There was only one thing…

She would become extremely diligent after getting drunk.

The first time she got drunk, Lu Tong copied medical prescriptions all night.

The second time she got drunk, she organized medicinal materials in the back courtyard all night.

The third time she got drunk, Lu Tong woke everyone in the residence in the middle of the night to take their pulses one by one, not even sparing Bao Zhu.

Later Pei Yunshu repeatedly warned Pei Yunying never to let Lu Tong get drunk—it was really quite frightening.

Tonight it looked like her old habit was acting up again. Sure enough, before Pei Yunying could speak, Lu Tong suddenly grabbed a red brush from the brush mountain, pulled over a sheet of white paper, and was about to start writing.

“Wait,” Pei Yunying grasped her hand, “…it’s too late. Why don’t you write tomorrow instead.”

She frowned slightly and looked up at Pei Yunying. Pei Yunying felt uncomfortable under her direct gaze and was about to say more when she suddenly patted his shoulder.

“Sit,” Lu Tong said, “I’ll paint your portrait.”

“Portrait?”

Lu Tong nodded.

Pei Yunying was baffled.

He was skilled at painting. When Lu Tong and he were newlyweds, Lu Tong had once been inspired to learn calligraphy and painting from him. He was also interested in teaching his wife, creating conjugal happiness together. Who knew that Lu Tong, who was calm and patient in revenge, calculating and enduring, had no patience at all when it came to learning to paint. Not only did she paint messily, but when he pointed out a few things, she threw down her brush and declared she wouldn’t learn. Later it really came to nothing. Duan Xiaoyan secretly told him: “I never noticed before that Doctor Lu has such a bad temper.”

Lu Tong did have a bad temper, so her initiative to paint his portrait tonight seemed particularly strange.

“Are you sure?”

Lu Tong pressed him down to sit at the table, “Sit properly.” She returned to the table herself, spread paper and picked up the brush, lowering her head to sketch. It looked quite professional.

Knowing tonight would inevitably involve some commotion, Pei Yunying shook his head helplessly and simply leaned back leisurely to see what she was actually going to do.

Lu Tong’s movements were very serious.

Every two strokes, she would gather her sleeve to dip ink. The autumn night was quiet, warm lamplight falling on her face. She would paint a bit, then look up at Pei Yunying, her gaze focused as if wanting to deeply engrave his appearance in her eyes.

He had originally been watching with a smile, but gradually became somewhat absent-minded.

Time seemed to slow down at this moment, even the swaying bright lamp seemed to freeze in the night.

He stared silently at Lu Tong, a comforting satisfaction growing in his chest, as if he would be willing for this moment to stretch into eternity. Until Lu Tong put down her brush with a “bang,” ink spattering on the table, though she was completely unaware, joyfully holding up the painting: “Done!”

Pei Yunying came back to his senses, stood up, and walked toward her, smiling: “Let me see.”

She had painted for so long and so seriously that his pose had become stiff, generating some anticipation about what Lu Tong’s version of him looked like. Although her painting skills weren’t very good… with his foundation, it would be hard to paint him ugly.

He walked behind Lu Tong, placed both hands behind her, and leaned down to look at the painting on the table. After one glance, he fell silent.

Lu Tong turned her head: “Does it look good?”

Pei Yunying: “…”

This painting really couldn’t be called good or bad, because if she hadn’t said so, it would be hard for anyone to tell who it depicted. The white paper only roughly showed a skeletal frame, with acupuncture points labeled in fine script beside the skeleton.

“Baihui, Jiuwei, Tiantu…” Lu Tong said while comparing to the portrait, “That’s right. Why aren’t you happy?”

Pei Yunying continued his silence.

So she had him sit properly and pose for so long just to paint an acupuncture point diagram?

She hadn’t even drawn complete facial features.

Although Lu Tong’s painting skills were mediocre, her ability to read expressions was first-rate. She keenly sensed his current speechlessness and was somewhat puzzled: “Did I paint it wrong?”

She spread the painting flat on the table, turned around, and began touching his face while comparing to the portrait.

“Baihui, Touwei…”

“Cuanzhu, Sibai…”

Her fingertips fell on his eyebrows and eyes, following down his nose bridge.

He froze, gazing intently. Lu Tong remained completely unaware, still touching downward bit by bit.

“Shuigou…”

Her fingertips brushed his lips and continued downward. Pei Yunying’s Adam’s apple moved slightly.

She was still touching, down to his neck and shoulders, continuing toward his chest, her breath carrying the sweet fragrance of wine: “Tiantu, Danzhong…”

Pei Yunying could bear it no longer and grabbed her hand as it continued downward: “Stop touching.”

Lu Tong was displeased: “Why not? In medicine there’s no distinction between men and women. I’m not afraid, what are you afraid of?”

Pei Yunying: “…”

He was both angry and amused.

This person was already drunk and speaking drunkenly, yet insisted on using such a serious and rigid tone, making anyone who wanted to do something feel guilty about taking advantage of someone.

“Are you really not afraid?” he asked meaningfully.

Lu Tong shook her head.

Pei Yunying nodded, thought for a moment, then suddenly pulled her arm around his neck and lifted Lu Tong up horizontally.

Lu Tong was carried toward the bed by him. Confused for a moment, she vaguely remembered her unfinished acupuncture point diagram and said: “Wait, I haven’t finished my acupuncture point diagram.”

He chuckled: “Stop painting. I think that acupuncture diagram is crude. It seems Doctor Lu has been neglecting her medical skills these days. I’d better help you review.”

“Nonsense,” Lu Tong scolded angrily, “How could I neglect my medical skills?”

“Then compare with the real person and see what’s different…”

The curtains were drawn, and the voices in the tent gradually became soft.

…

The next morning, Lu Tong woke up feeling sore all over and confused.

There were some vague fragments in her mind, not very clear. But examining them closely, she didn’t want to recall them either—it would be too embarrassing. Better to muddle through, spare herself, and not force herself to remember.

Pei Yunying had gone to the palace early for duty. She got up and walked to the table, suddenly stunned.

There were two paintings on the table.

One painting was clearly from her hand—crooked lines, rough figures, only roughly sketching a skeleton with acupuncture points marked, plus three large characters: Pei Yunying.

Lu Tong: “…”

This was truly awful to look at. Speaking fairly, if it were her, she would have already thrown this painting in Pei Yunying’s face.

As for the other one…

Lu Tong’s gaze fixed on it.

An autumn night’s solitary lamp, a sleepless person. A woman in undergarments, hair hanging smoothly, one hand supporting her head as she dozed at the table, eyes slightly closed, a wine jar rolling sideways on the table.

The artist’s brushwork was detailed and lifelike, as if through the painting one could see the melting moonlight of the autumn night. The woman was also vivid, even her hair drawn to seem flowing in the wind, completely different from her rough painting skills.

That was herself.

She stared for a moment, feeling a slight stirring in her heart.

Had he painted this last night, or this morning?

His energy was really good. But it was painted very well, clearly making a deep impression on his heart.

Beside the two paintings was also a note. Lu Tong picked it up to look.

The handwriting was sharp and vigorous, very beautiful, written in flowing script across two lines.

“My lady gives me a painting, so I also give one in return.”

“I hope you won’t be stingy with such gifts, and will create another when you have time.”

Lu Tong: “…”

The Lantern Flower’s final extra chapter is now complete. Yin Zheng and Little Du aren’t written separately – this pair has an open ending, just like Yin Zheng said in the text: “Whether we become family, friends, or lovers in the future, that’s for the future. In any case, Renxin Medical Hall won’t scatter.” I think this is the best place to end.

Thank you all for accompanying this new story together, spending these disciplined 200+ days together, and early wishes for a happy new year and all the best!