Qi Yutai’s expression darkened.
He had intended to tornt Lu Tong thoroughly.
Lu Tong took a step back, holding the packed dicine tray and nodded to him, "Young Master Qi, as you’ve just recovered from a serious illness, rember to rest and recuperate with a peaceful heart. Minister Qi was very concerned about your well-being during your illness, attending to every detail. Please do not let down Minister Qi’s devoted paternal love."
Having said this, she bowed to Qi Yutai, lowered her head, and left.
Qi Yutai, already irritable, found Lu Tong’s words aggravating. The sight of the newly replaced beddings, the unfamiliar maidservants, and even the burning Spirit Rhinoceros Fragrance on the table suddenly beca intolerable.
His father was already strict, and now, confined to the mansion, he feared he would have even less freedom.
The restlessness inside him, like sparks, grew larger and larger until it was blazing fiercely, with nowhere to vent. He directed this pent-up resentnt toward the shadow that had just left.
"Wretch," he said.
"After the festival, I’ll show you what tornt ans."
...
Lu Tong, carrying her dical box, left the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion.
The mont she stepped out of the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion’s gate, the world seed much more open. The cool breeze brushed her face, sweeping away the stuffiness and stickiness of the past few days, and even the nauseating discomfort in her chest dissipated sowhat.
She boarded her carriage and headed straight back to West Street. Yin Zheng and the others were very happy to see her return.
"Has the Qi family’s son recovered from his illness?"
Miao Liangfang pulled her aside and asked in a low voice.
Lu Tong nodded.
Miao Liangfang let out a long sigh of relief, "Thank the Buddha, I was worried sothing might have happened."
Miao Liangfang had always been worried about Lu Tong.
From what Cui Min had said during their last encounter, Cui Min’s words had always unsettled Miao Liangfang. With Qi Yutai falling ill and Cui Min being imprisoned at such a critical ti, with Lu Tong stepping in, she knew that madness was difficult to cure. This was a hot potato, and a single misstep could lead to a huge loss.
Du Changqing squeezed through and examined her carefully, "You look so haggard, tsk, I’ve always said those wealthy folks aren’t any good, treating people like animals, aren’t they? Look at those dark circles under your eyes... as if they were painted with ink... How much silver did they give you? You should ask for more!"
"Money, money, money, that’s all you think about, can’t you see how tired the lady is?" Yin Zheng pushed Lu Tong into the courtyard, "I’ll go draw a bath for Miss Lu, you haven’t had a proper rest while at the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion these days, now that you’re back, you can rest well, especially since there are a few days off."
The hot water was quickly prepared, Lu Tong changed clothes, and as she lay in the wooden tub, the steam blurred her vision, but it did lessen the fatigue from the past few days.
Yin Zheng ca in holding clean clothes, which she hung on the screen.
"Miss," she sat down behind the screen at a small table, picked up her unfinished needlework, and whispered, "Is Young Master Qi truly well?"
Lu Tong humd in affirmation.
Yin Zheng was puzzled.
Lu Tong had co to the capital to seek revenge on the Qi family, and now that her enemy was within her grasp, she had cured Qi Yutai.
She did not understand.
Yin Zheng wanted to ask, but the words were swallowed back as they reached her lips. Even if she asked, Lu Tong wouldn’t say. Lu Tong always quietly went about her business, never letting anyone know her thoughts.
After a mont’s thought, she brought up another matter, "Miss, the Qixi Festival is in a few days. Mr. Miao has made new herbal teas, one for won to enrich the blood and vitalize qi, and the other for n to strengthen yang and kidney. They’ll be sold together in the sa grass basket. I saw many pharmacies in Shengjing Pharmacy doing the sa, and Shopkeeper Du said we should try it, too."
"It’s just that the grass baskets look too coarse. I was thinking... tie a colorful silk ribbon on it, since on Qixi it’s also popular for won to make ribbons to give to their beloved," Yin Zheng held up a string of silk ribbons high for Lu Tong to see, "Look miss, doesn’t it look less monotonous now?"
Lu Tong looked over.
The colorful ribbons in Yin Zheng’s hands were like garlands of flowers, very beautiful, so she nodded, "It’s pretty."
"I think it’s pretty too, if you want to learn later, I’ll teach you. It’s not difficult at all, to tie one that’s just right and hang it from the waist, perfect to match with a skirt," Yin Zheng said with a smile: "It’s quite attractive."
Lu Tong was just about to nod when she suddenly rembered sothing, "Isn’t Qixi on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month?"
"Yes, what about it?"
"I have to go out on that day."
Yin Zheng was taken aback, "What does Miss Lu need to go out for?"
She tentatively looked towards Lu Tong, "Is it to celebrate the festival with soone?"
"No," Lu Tong replied, "It’s to wish soone a happy birthday."
The seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the Qixi Festival, was Pei Yunshu’s birthday, which Pei Yunng had ntioned during his last visit to the dical Officer Institute.
She had almost forgotten about it.
...
In the Pei Mansion, Pei Yunshu was holding up several garnts in front of Pei Yunng.
Pei Yunng stood with a slightly impatient look on his face as Treasure Bead sat on the low couch, holding a Golden Swallowtail Butterfly in her hands and giggling at the two of them.
"Even Treasure Bead can’t bear to watch," Pei Yunng raised his hand, pushing away the clothes Pei Yunshu held in front of him, and then swiftly sat down on the low couch, picking up Treasure Bead to evade Pei Yunshu’s ensuing bustle.
"Sister, instead of making so many new clothes, you’d better make a new cabinet."
Pei Yunshu let go of the clothes and looked at him sideways, "Oh? I made so many new clothes, and you wear your official uniform every day. I thought you didn’t care for these and had tossed them all away."
"You’re slandering again." Pei Yunng laughed, "Of course, I wear the official uniform for my duties inside the Palace, but I do wear these on my days off too."
"Wear, wear, wear, I haven’t seen you wear them even once!" Pei Yunshu glared at him, "Get up! The day after tomorrow is my birthday, and you must pick sothing you like to wear."
Pei Yunng remained still, "It’s your birthday, not mine. Why should I dress up so outstandingly?"
"Miss Lu will also be coming the day after tomorrow. If you wear your official uniform, people might think you are on duty."
Upon hearing this, Pei Yunng’s gaze flickered slightly, but he still remained seated, slowly saying, "Doctor Lu isn’t soone who judges by appearance, and besides," he paused, "I’m not bad-looking, so why do I need my attire to enhance that?"
Seeing his attitude, Pei Yunshu let out a sigh, put down the pile of clothes she had in her hands, and sat down at the round table opposite Pei Yunng.
"Ah Ying," Pei Yunshu spoke earnestly, "Your sister is no fool. Can’t I see what you feel for Miss Lu?"
"I know you’ve been pampered since childhood and won’t act unless you’re completely sure. But matters of the heart are irrational to begin with, and your heart isn’t under your control. If you think you can deal with your feelings as you do your official duties, that’s utterly impossible."
She said, "If you are interested in Miss Lu, you need to show it practically, ask her what she likes and gift her that, take her out often, make her happy. Serving in the Imperial City is stressful, and you know that better than anyone. As an ordinary person, it will only be harder for her."
Pei Yunng listened casually, snatching back the tuft of hair Treasure Bead had grabbed, while Treasure Bead cheerfully held up the Golden Swallowtail Butterfly and placed it on his head.
Pei Yunshu continued, "Besides, Miss Lu has a supposed fiancé... whether that’s true or not."
At this, she suddenly turned towards Pei Yunng, "Ah Ying, since it’s my birthday the day after tomorrow, why don’t I help you ask Miss Lu if she has soone she fancies?"
Pei Yunng was speechless, "Don’t."
"You won’t do this or that." Pei Yunshu beca irritated, "I heard from Duan Xiaoyan that Miss Lu is extrely popular at the Palace Marshal’s Mansion. Of course, a girl as beautiful, kind, clever, and quick-witted as her, if I had a son, I would also like to matchmake him with her. It’s not your place to..."
She spoke at length, but seeing him still indifferent, she angrily pushed the clothes onto the table, "I’ve said all I could. You listen to nothing. Don’t regret it later!" With that, she scooped up Treasure Bead and scolded, "Let’s go, don’t bother with him."
Pei Yunng: "..."
The room regained its tranquility.
The young man lowered his head and picked up the Golden Swallowtail Butterfly Treasure Bead had left at the edge of the couch.
The butterfly’s wings shimred splendidly, blossoming at his fingertips. They were as beautiful as the faint sparkles in his dark eyes, lighting up the whole room.
He contemplated it for a while, then clasped the butterfly in his palm and began to smile faintly.
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