Chapter 339: Chapter 133 Strategy_2
A surge of shame suddenly arose in his heart. After hesitating for a long while, Miao Liangfang clenched his trouser legs and spoke awkwardly, "I promised to help you pass the spring examination so that you could avenge me. However, I was not able to provide any assistance, therefore, you need not take my previous words to heart."
With resolve, Miao Liangfang said, "Lu Tong, let’s forget about our previous conversation."
Lu Tong’s passing of the spring examination had indeed nothing to do with him. Miao Liangfang still had some pride and couldn’t do something as shameful as repaying kindness with demands.
After saying this, Miao Liangfang lowered his head, his mood incredibly complicated.
On one hand, he did not wish to entangle Lu Tong in his own grievances, and on the other hand, seeing his hopes dashed once more, it was impossible not to feel disappointed.
After all, he was no saint; selfish desires are hard to extinguish.
"No. I will honor my agreement with Mr. Miao."
Miao Liangfang looked up in surprise and a secret delight swiftly surfaced in his heart, only to be quickly suppressed by reason. He shook his head and said, "No, your ranking high on the list has nothing to do with me..."
"How can it be unrelated?" Lu Tong interrupted him.
The warm light of the lamp lightly covered her face, yet her clear and distinct black pupils reflected a touch of misty coldness.
The woman began to smile slightly.
"Mr. Miao."
She spoke, "There’s another matter that I would like to ask for your help with."
...
In the following days, the Renxin Medical Hall became exceptionally lively.
The neighbors on West Street, upon hearing that Lu Tong had placed on the list in the spring examination and would soon take a post at the Hanlin Medical Institute, came to offer their congratulations, with the exception of Bai Shouyi from Xinglin Hall; almost everyone paid a visit.
Yin Zheng received so much cured meat and salted fish that there was hardly room to store it all. Widow Sun, with Dai Sanlang in tow, pulled Lu Tong into a corner and asked her to find a handsome, age-appropriate man for her at the Medical Officer Institute. Wealth and background were of no concern, only tall, handsome, and hearty.
Even Blind Man He was invited by Official Hu to the medical hall, for Lu Tong to draw a fortune-telling stick, hoping to choose a good omen.
The pitch-black stick container rattled after a few shakes, making a clattering sound within.
Blind Man He fumbled and pushed the container towards Lu Tong, "Miss, please draw."
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Lu Tong felt obliged not to disregard the kindness of Official Hu, so she reached out and drew one at random.
The long stick was slender, its black body bearing two lines of red characters—
Yin Zheng, standing behind Lu Tong, read in a low voice, "Meet your match in the game, conceal your tactics, in the black and white grid unaware of time... What does this mean?"
"Ah, the miss has drawn the ’Strategy’ stick!" Before Lu Tong could speak, Blind Man He had already called out excitedly.
Lu Tong: "’Strategy’ stick?"
"Yes, this is quite peculiar," Blind Man He stroked his long beard and shook his head, "Miss will be entering the Medical Officer Institute to become a medical officer, so why should there be conflict and concealed tactics? This stick carries a hint of martial aggression. Strange, very strange."
Lu Tong’s expression flickered slightly.
From the side, Du Changqing spoke irritably, "He, you’re not suggesting that Doctor Lu will encounter a bloody disaster upon taking office, are you?" He had always been skeptical of the fortune-teller from West Street, thinking him a charlatan, and now his displeasure intensified, his annoyance extending to Official Hu as well, "Uncle, do you think it’s good luck to have such foreboding on a day of celebration?"
Official Hu quickly said, "Master, please provide some guidance."
Blind Man He gently caressed his beard, "Although it is a ’Strategy’ stick, it is an extremely auspicious one. The issue is not serious. However, with this warning in writing, and considering the strong martial energy on the stick, Doctor Lu is young, it would be fitting to draw a Talisman of Exorcism for her, to turn calamity into safety and usher in a phase of great prosperity."
Lu Tong focused on him, "Draw a talisman?"
Blind Man He nodded enigmatically and took a triangular, yellow talisman from within his robes and passed it to her, "This Talisman of Exorcism was personally drawn by me to protect the lady. With the blessing of the Three Pure Ones, evil spirits will retreat upon encountering it, and it may also attract a noble person to guard you and might even ensure the tying of a good relationship."
Lu Tong hesitated for a moment and then accepted the yellow talisman, "Thank you, Mr. He."
Blind Man He immediately spread his hands, "Two taels of silver, no credit."
Everyone: "..."
After Blind Man He had left with the silver, content, Du Changqing kept mumbling and grumbling inside the medical hall.
"I told you he was a charlatan coming to swindle our silver. Two taels of silver... why doesn’t he just rob us! I earn only two taels for a whole month sitting the hall here, so tell me, who’s the real blind man here!"
"Alright, alright," Yin Zheng said with a laugh, trying to smooth things over, "One spends money to ward off misfortunes. The lady is going to enter the palace, isn’t it good to have a yellow talisman for safety? Our master here has always been generous—surely it’s not that you begrudge spending the two taels?" She then gave Ah Cheng a meaningful glance.
Ah Cheng caught on and pulled Du Changqing toward the inner room, "Master, didn’t you say you had something to give to Doctor Lu?"
Lu Tong: "What is it?"
Clearing his throat, Du Changqing walked into the inner room, reached into the lowest drawer of the cabinet, and pulled out a small box, which he thudded down onto the table, "For you."