"I have ways to keep you tied to the Qi Family for the rest of your life, begging for rcy and unable to beg for death!"
The last sentence was suddenly sinister.
Lu Tong remained silent.
Qi Yutai stared at her intently.
After a mont, Lu Tong spoke.
"If the Grand Preceptor finds out about this, I will be dood."
Qi Yutai’s expression relaxed, "I won’t let him know."
"Although this substance is not as potent as Cold Food Powder, it should only be taken in small amounts, for an overdose will still lead to endless troubles."
"I know what I’m doing."
The room fell quiet.
The guards and maids glanced this way and saw Qi Yutai gripping Lu Tong’s arm, looking like she was coercing her, then they all turned their faces away, pretending not to see.
Qi Yutai let go of her hand: "Have you made up your mind?"
On the table, the rekindled Spirit Rhinoceros Fragrance was fragrant and in this fine smoke, Lu Tong lowered her eyelids.
"I’ll try," she said.
...
The Martial Arts Field was busy all morning; when the small kitchen served lunch, the Imperial Guards ran especially fast.
When Pei Yunng returned from the Martial Arts Field, Xiao Zhufeng had just moved two large baskets of feathered arrows to the courtyard.
"Didn’t you go to the palace?" asked Pei Yunng, "How co you’re back again?"
Xiao Zhufeng dusted off the dirt from his hands and entered the house without a word.
Seeing him like this, Pei Yunng tightened his expression and followed him inside, asking, "What happened?"
Xiao Zhufeng said, "The Crown Prince has been placed under house arrest."
Pei Yunng paused.
"Soone tampered with the food and drink in Consort Chen’s palace, and the palace maids accused people from the Empress’s side."
"The house arrest is the Emperor’s doing."
Pei Yunng sat down on the chair, thought for a while, and then chuckled softly.
"At Huangmao Hill, both the Crown Prince and the Third Prince were attacked at the sa ti; now, only the Crown Prince is being punished. With both being his sons, the Emperor’s heart really is biased enough."
Xiao Zhufeng spoke, "It’s also because of the incident at the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion before, which made the Emperor’s actions even swifter." Then he looked at Pei Yunng, "With all that’s happening, I should also thank your Doctor Lu."
This mockery couldn’t stir the other person any longer; Pei Yunng shrugged indifferently, "The timing is just right, the troops from Qi Shui will also set out soon."
The turmoil in Qi Shui led Emperor Liang Ming to assign General Zhenwei, a ruthless man, to quell the unrest. Perhaps he truly wanted to calm the chaos, or perhaps, with a storm brewing in Shengjing, he wanted to rid of all potential variables, clearing the way and escorting the son truly favored in the Emperor’s heart.
Such earnest paternal love.
"I think, at the latest after the festival, there will be actions inside the Palace," Xiao Zhufeng nodded, "By then the Qi Family will be useless, and you can give them away as a favor to your lifesaver."
"That won’t do," Pei Yunng said, "You know as well as I do, when it cos to revenge, it’s much more satisfying to handle it yourself."
Xiao Zhufeng sneered, "How contrived."
As they were talking, Duan Xiaoyan walked in from outside, holding a porcelain bottle in his arms and a large bunch of powdered roses.
He placed the flower vase in a corner of the room on a cabinet, poured half a bottle of clean water, stuffed the roses haphazardly into the vase, then stepped back two paces, scrutinized it for a mont, and was satisfied, "Perfect!"
Pei Yunng and Xiao Zhufeng looked at him, and both frowned simultaneously, "What are you doing?"
"Attracting peach blossoms!"
Duan Xiaoyan explained excitedly, "I went to West Street earlier to get so dicine and ran into Blind Man He the fortune teller, who said that there are too many n in the Palace Front Office and the yang energy is too strong, which isn’t good for marriage prospects."
"He taught a trick, to place a vase of flowers in the southeast corner of the room, change the water diligently every day, and in no more than three months, peach blossoms are sure to arrive, and hearts will flutter. It’s very effective!"
Pei Yunng, speechless, asked him, "How much did you spend?"
"One silver piece," Duan Xiaoyan quickly replied, "Believe , brother, he’s definitely not a swindler. It’s a good deal; he even gave an activated bracelet. Hey, Yunng brother, I think you should also have a look, I hear he has red talismans that, once made and worn, ensures smooth sailing in love, and the person you love is bound to fall for you. Aren’t you coveting the position of Doctor Lu’s fiancé? Why not get one too?"
"I’ve already asked on behalf of the brothers, Blind Man He said that buying in bulk is cheaper. Would you like one as well? I could buy it for you,"
Pei Yunng’s face was expressionless, "Don’t do that kind of thing."
"But..."
"You should buy one." Xiao Zhufeng was serious, "Looking at it now, your love life seems quite bumpy."
"You should be saying that to yourself."
Pei Yunng smiled at him, "After all, you haven’t even found the road yet."
"..."
...
At dusk, Lu Tong left the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion and went back to West Street.
Yin Zheng was sweeping the fallen leaves from under the plum tree at the doorway. Seeing her return, she put down her broom and called out with a smile, "Miss is back."
Miao Liangfang, who was leaning over the dicine cabinet to count the newly received herbs, stretched his neck and instructed Lu Tong, "Xiao Lu is back? You’re ho early today, there’s food left in the kitchen for you, including your favorite red date cake."
Lu Tong replied, then walked into the house. Yin Zheng looked at her, her gaze falling on the hairpin in her hair, and she said with surprise, "Miss, why have you changed your hair jewelry today?"
Miao Liangfang was taken aback, and Ah Cheng also looked up upon hearing this.
Lu Tong only had one hairpin, and she usually used fabric flowers made by Yin Zheng. Now, a carved hair comb was inserted into her bun, which wasn’t extravagant, but it was eye-catching compared to before.
Everyone was full of praise.
Lu Tong touched the comb and suddenly felt a flicker of discomfort in her heart.
Miao Liangfang’s eyes were full of affection as he said with a smile, "Not bad, a young lady should dress up more. You look so spirited all dolled up, like a fairy in the temple paintings."
"Eh," Yin Zheng leaned in to take a closer look, "That’s strange, when did you buy this comb, Miss? I’ve never seen it before."
Lu Tong was usually indifferent to adornnts and wouldn’t actively buy jewelry or hairpins. It was rare to see her wearing a new accessory, inevitably arousing curiosity.
Lu Tong paused, "Lin Danqing gave it to ," then she quickly changed the subject, "Why don’t I see Shopkeeper Du?"
"He wasn’t feeling well, he went back earlier in the afternoon," said Ah Cheng.
Lu Tong nodded and asked, "Shopkeeper Du seems to leave early these days."
Although Shopkeeper Du wasn’t always keen on staying at the dical hall, he usually left only after the sun had completely set. Recently, however, he seed busy with sothing, and every ti Lu Tong ca back from the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, Shopkeeper Du’s figure was already absent from the dical hall.
Even Ah Cheng would leave later than Shopkeeper Du.
It was indeed unusual.
Lu Tong asked, "Is he sick?"
"Shopkeeper Du is a grown man, not a child. He doesn’t get sick that easily. Miss, you should take care of yourself first."
Yin Zheng laughed and lifted the felt curtain, "I’ll go warm up the food in the kitchen. Rember to co and eat after you’ve rested, Miss."
Lu Tong humd in agreent but felt that Yin Zheng’s attitude was sowhat strange today, so she turned her gaze to the two inside.
"What happened?"
Miao Liangfang shook his head with a sigh, and Ah Cheng pulled Lu Tong into a corner and spoke in a secretive tone, "Doctor Lu, don’t you know? The boss has suffered from heartbreak and has been recuperating inside the mansion lately, not wanting to go out and et people."
"Heartbreak?"
Lu Tong was shocked.
These days she had been busy with the affairs of the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion and had no ti to pay attention to the people at the dical hall. She didn’t know when she had missed such a big piece of secret news.
Shopkeeper Du was a man with no great aspirations but was content and at ease. Since Lu Tong t him, his passions rose swiftly and faded just as quickly. For him to be locking himself away in grief over heartbreak indicated that the other party had deeply hurt him.
Lu Tong asked, "Who hurt him?"
The young assistant glanced behind the felt curtain.
Lu Tong surprised, "Yin Zheng?"
When had Yin Zheng beco entangled with Shopkeeper Du?
"Just a few days after Qixi, Xiao Du confessed his feelings to Yin Zheng."
Miao Liangfang’s eyes showed sympathy, and as he spoke, he sighed again, "Such good children, why didn’t Yin Zheng take a liking to Xiao Du?"
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