Chapter 603: Chapter 209: The Charismatic Princely Heir and the Beautiful Divine Doctor_3
Pei Yunmeng lifted his eyes and gave a light glance, "Do you like Lu Tong?"
The speaking Imperial Guard scratched his head, embarrassed, "Lord, it’s not that I like her, but in our Palace Front Office, I wouldn’t dare say nine out of ten, but the vast majority, they all like Doctor Lu."
This was true, and the five hundred ducks of the Palace Marshal’s Mansion could testify to that.
A slightly older, married Imperial Guard leaned in, taking delight in the misfortune of others, "Stop dreaming, you stand no chance, Doctor Lu has someone in her heart already!"
Pei Yunmeng’s expression flickered slightly, "Someone in her heart?"
The married guard spoke boldly, "Just a few days ago, on the Double Seventh Festival, I accompanied my wife to stroll through the Qiqiao Market at Panlou. I saw Doctor Lu."
He began speaking mysteriously, "Doctor Lu was walking with a man, very intimately, and went up into the Qiqiao Tower to the ’Lanye Competing in Ingenuity’!"
"But I was too far away that day, and I only saw a silhouette. That man entered the building before I could get a good look. I wanted to follow and clear things up, but I was afraid my wife would think I had other intentions, so I gave up."
He patted his chest, "But I can testify, Doctor Lu definitely walked through the Qiqiao Market with a man. The flower has found its master!"
A young girl would only go to "Lanye Competing in Ingenuity" with someone in her heart, Lu Tong’s actions undoubtedly proved this.
Upon hearing this, the group of Imperial Guards all beat their chests and stamped their feet, cursing whoever dared to lead away the beauty. Then they swore they would use the investigative energy of the Dali Temple to find out which talented individual had preempted them under the watchful eyes of the five hundred ducks of the Palace Front Office.
Xiao Zhufeng was on the verge of speaking but then hesitated.
It seemed these people had forgotten the rumors of a romantic interlude that once existed between their own Marshal and the female physician.
Perhaps it was a selective memory.
The one who started the conversation squeezed up to Pei Yunmeng and said, trying to ingratiate himself, "Lord, you are more familiar with the Medical Officer Institute, and Doctor Lu often comes to treat the little miss. Have mercy and do your brothers a favor, ask her—"
"Who is that bastard that walked through the market and went to the Qiqiao Tower with Doctor Lu to compete in ingenuity?"
Pei Yunmeng looked at him and tugged at the corner of his lip, "Bastard?"
"Yes, yes, bastard."
He nodded, took off his wrist guard, threw his water bag onto the table, and walked forward leisurely until he reached the pole in front of the black steed. He leapt onto the horse before dropping a line.
"It was me."
...
The setting sun bathed the long street in red.
Inside Renxin Medical Hall, Lu Tong sat on a bed browsing through a miscellaneous book, while Miao Liangfang and Yin Zheng sat in front of the medicine cabinet, one checking the day’s medical cases, the other drawing new patterns for fear.
The slanting sun shone through the doorway, its remaining light illuminating the pages, perfectly highlighting a section of text.
"Silver shores brimming with whispering waves, gentle golden breeze lazily unfurls. Evening fragrance drifts alongside clouds on the fly. Sister Moon envious, a furrowed brow bisects her beauty."
"A fleeting night elusive to stay, as the slanted river seeks to fade. Mixed with joy and sorrow is the finest time. Once acquainted, love is added twofold."
It was a "Nan Ge Zi. Qixi" song.
Yin Zheng had placed the half-read storybook on the table, and Lu Tong, tired from looking at prescriptions, casually picked it up and flipped through a few pages until he came across this passage, which left him somewhat distracted.
Several days had passed since Qixi.
Yin Zheng’s voice suddenly called from the door, "Lord Pei."
Lu Tong looked up to see a young man walking in under the Li Zishu tree, stepping through the scattered golden shadows on the ground.
Miao Liangfang rubbed his eyes, and Yin Zheng stood up first with a smile, "Lord Pei, please take a seat, I’ll go make some tea."
He, being no stranger, smiled, nodded, and approached Lu Tong.
Lu Tong suddenly realized and subconsciously wanted to cover his face with the medical book, but it was one step too late, and it had already been taken by the man.
Pei Yunmeng glanced at the book’s cover and his expression instantly became strange.
"The Dashing Princely Heir and the Charming Physician..."
He pondered as he looked towards Lu Tong.
"You like reading this?"
With such a misleading title, Lu Tong flatly snatched it back with a cold face, "It’s not mine."
He raised an eyebrow, "Oh."
Lu Tong emphasized, "It’s Yin Zheng’s."
He hummed again, his tone still carrying profound implications.
Lu Tong: "..."
There was simply no way to clarify.
Miao Liangfang came out from behind the medicine cabinet and asked Pei Yunmeng, "Lord Pei, why have you suddenly come?"
"To pick up Treasure Bead’s medicine. Since it was on my way, I came on her behalf."
Miao Liangfang uttered an "oh," but stood still without moving.
Pei Yunmeng smiled faintly, and Miao Liangfang finally realized later than sooner, and tentatively looked towards Lu Tong.
"Xiao Lu, should I go back now?"
Lu Tong: "..."
Yin Zheng lifted the felt curtain and walked out from inside, placing the brewed hot tea on the table, smiling at Miao Liangfang: "It’s getting late, Shopkeeper Du and Ah Cheng have both gone back, and there’s not much going on in the shop, Mr. Miao should head back to rest. If there’s anything, I’ll find you at the temple entrance."
Miao Liangfang glanced at Lu Tong again, and seeing that Lu Tong had tacitly agreed, he gave a few more instructions and left, limping with his cane.
After he had gone, Yin Zheng also entered the small courtyard, closed the wooden door, and Pei Yunmeng sat down opposite Lu Tong.
"It’s not yet time to use Treasure Bead’s new medicine," Lu Tong said, "Does the Marshal have a poor memory?"
"It’s you who has a poor memory," he reminded her, "Did you forget something of mine?"
Lu Tong inexplicably asked, "Forgot what?"
"The ribbon you promised to make for me on my sister’s birthday."
Lu Tong was taken aback for a moment and replied, "When did I promise to make one for you?"
He looked her over: "It seems you haven’t even started yet."
This person was being inexplicable.
Lu Tong reminded him: "Marshal, I don’t recall ever agreeing to that."
"Didn’t you say, the Lu Family’s family instruction is that one must repay a meal’s grace?"
He laughed: "After all, during the Lanye skill contest, I won the comb for you, asking for a colorful ribbon in return isn’t too much, right?"
Without mentioning it, it would have been fine, but on the mention of the Lanye skill contest, vague images became clearer, and Lu Tong’s heart stirred, leaving her speechless and looking down for a moment.
The room fell silent.
Pei Yunmeng "tsked" and asked with a smile: "Are you feeling guilty and refusing to look up at me?"
Lu Tong immediately looked up, glaring at him.
He stifled a laugh and said, "Enough teasing, let’s talk business."
"I’ve already arranged for someone to enter the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion. Among the guards in Qi Yutai’s courtyard, there is one with a red birthmark at the corner of his eye, he’s my man."
"If you encounter any trouble in everyday matters, you can seek help from this person. Should you face any danger, he will also find a way to ensure your safety," he said.
Lu Tong was stunned.
She knew better than anyone how difficult it was to infiltrate the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion with a secret agent. After all, just getting close to Qi Yutai had taken a great deal of effort.
Yet, Pei Yunmeng had done just that.
After a long silence, Lu Tong spoke up.
"It’s hard to get into the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, and it’s not easy to arrange for someone to go in. If something happens to me, your insider will be wasted," she said, looking towards Pei Yunmeng.
"Is it worth it?"
Pei Yunmeng chuckled lightly.
"The people in the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion are all abnormal, all of them crazy," he said as he looked at her, calm and composed, "How could I dare to leave my creditor alone in such a place?"
Lu Tong remained silent.
"Furthermore," Pei Yunmeng changed the topic, "It’s not like I’m helping for nothing."
"Next month is my birthday, and I want to see that ribbon," he said in a relaxed tone, "Miss Lu San, don’t go back on your word again. On my birthday, I’ll have Qingfeng come to fetch you."
Lu Tong: "You..."
He raised his hand, drained the cup of tea on the table, picked up his sword, and stood up, "I have official duties and must leave first."
After taking two steps, he suddenly turned back and cleared his throat.
"The storybooks..."
His gaze swept over the ledger covered by medical books.
"... are quite interesting."
With that, he walked out the door with a smile.
Lu Tong: "..."
Yin Zheng lifted the felt curtain to come out, seeing that Pei Yunmeng had already left, she looked towards Lu Tong: "Lord Pei left so soon? Didn’t he want to sit for a while longer?"
Those words made it sound like Pei Yunmeng was very familiar with the medical hall.
Lu Tong frowned.
"He’s not from the medical hall, there’s no need to be courteous to him," Lu Tong put away the storybook, "Next time, don’t bother with the tea either, let him be thirsty."
Yin Zheng burst out laughing and then sighed: "Miss, what has happened between you and Lord Pei? I always feel..."
Lu Tong’s heart skipped a beat: "Feel what?"
After pondering for a while, Yin Zheng replied: "I feel, Miss, you treat him a bit differently now."