Chapter 455: Chapter 166 Comfort_2
It seemed as though he had no place to hide his shame.
He had always been too lazy to bother with others’ affairs, maintaining a sense of safe distance. Yet, in that instant, he couldn’t bear to see her anymore in such an awkward predicament like a child suddenly thrown into disarray, revealing a sense of panic starkly different from her usual demeanor.
So he walked out and interrupted the two of them.
She continued walking forward, the night wind lifting the hem of her skirt. Pei Yunmeng glanced at her and suddenly said, "The Ji Family’s young master is noble and upright, virtuous and proper, unaware of human depravity. You need not take his words to heart."
"As for Jin Xianrong, he has been lecherous and without virtue these years. If he indeed used poison, it wouldn’t matter much; consider it ridding the people of a scourge."
His tone was casual, like an offhand remark.
Lu Tong remained silent.
She naturally understood.
The Ji Family came from a distinguished background, with scholars of undisputed reputation within their household. From an early age, they were instilled with a sense of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. People respected and admired him, and with so few bad people around him, when he encountered someone like her who was adept at scheming, it’s no wonder he found her particularly detestable.
Coal and snow are not stored in the same vessel, a truth since ancient times.
Seeing that she did not speak, Pei Yunmeng laughed again and said, "Why the disheartened look? Ji Xun may be quite handsome, but Doctor Lu doesn’t seem like someone who would pine after a man to the point of death. Why the long face?"
Taking a pause in her step, Lu Tong turned around impatiently, "What does the Marshal want with me so late at night?"
Pei Yunmeng said it was because Xiao Zhufeng had a sudden headache, but if that were the case, would he appear as leisurely as he does now?
He even had the mood to make idle conversation with her.
Pei Yunmeng chuckled, "I have a new prescription to show Doctor Lu, but since we’re putting on a play, we must have a proper reason."
A new prescription?
Lu Tong thought of the last prescription Pei Yunmeng had shown her and couldn’t help but feel puzzled.
What exactly was that prescription, and why did he value it so much?
As she was pondering, Pei Yunmeng’s voice came again, "But did you really use the poison on Jin Xianrong?"
Lu Tong became alert, turning to look at him.
"I heard that poison is very precious. I thought you were going to use it on Qi Yutai."
His words were light and breezy, hard to discern any emotion from, but the gaze that fell on her was sharp, as if he had already seen through her thoughts.
Lu Tong’s heart skipped a beat.
After all, Pei Yunmeng was not Ji Xun. He knew her true identity, knew whom she was up against, and could easily see through her ultimate purpose.
Lu Tong averted her eyes, "Maybe in the future that will indeed be the case."
He nodded as if casually reminding, "Take it slowly, Doctor Lu. Don’t make enemies too quickly; otherwise, even ten heads won’t be enough to chop off."
Lu Tong retorted, "The Marshal should take care of himself first. The next time you attempt an assassination, make sure you aren’t the one being chased and forced to flee."
Pei Yunmeng: "..."
The carriage quietly stopped at the entrance of the alley. He did not continue to argue with her, merely saying, "Get in."
Lu Tong steadied herself and bent over to climb into the carriage. Just before getting in, she hesitated and turned her head towards the distance.
Across the street, in the bright light of the lanterns, carriages and horses flowed past amid the endless stream of people.
Pei Yunmeng followed her gaze, "What is it?"
Lu Tong looked intently at the other side for a while.
She thought she had seen a carriage belonging to the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion flash by.
But the moment was too brief, and the crowd too dense. By the time she looked up to get a clearer view, all she saw was the teeming throng.
She shook her head and bent down to enter the carriage.
"It’s nothing."
...
The carriage stopped in front of the mansion’s gate.
The servants surrounded the person alighting from the carriage, escorting them into the lavish residence.
The young lady at the center removed her headdress, revealing herself as the young lady clad in a floor-length peony light smoke fabric dress, with peachy cheeks and apricot skin, her delicate beauty shining. Her black hair was combed into a bun at an angle, adorned with a forehead piece embellished with pearls. The large peonies on her dress bloomed splendidly, further enhancing her elegance and richness, like a gorgeous bloom at the peak of its beauty, extremely charming and enchanting.
This was Qi Huaying, the legitimate youngest daughter of Qi Qing.
Grand Preceptor Qi Qing had two wives in total. The first wife passed away without leaving any children. The second, much younger than Qi Qing, bore him a son and a daughter before also departing from this world early.
Sad for the siblings who lost their mother at a young age, Qi Qing did not remarry and raised them with great care.
The eldest legitimate son, Qi Yutai, was always respectful and courteous outside the home. Though he had never done anything particularly outstanding, he led a disciplined life and had not brought about any significant trouble.
And this legitimate young miss was the recipient of endless love and care. Not only was she beautiful and charming, but she was also talented and elegant. From childhood to adulthood, she only used the most luxurious clothing and accessories, which even a princess could not match. There was one year during the Lantern Festival excursion that Miss Qi played with a newly made slingshot, and the pellets she used to shoot were made of silver. Her carriage proceeded, leaving a trail of those thrown away pellets, and countless poor people followed behind picking up the flung silver, a display of such grandeur and style.