Chapter 379: Chapter 143 Jin Xianrong_2
Pei Yunmeng hadn’t returned to the Palace Marshal’s Mansion for several days, and with Xiao Zhufeng’s reticent and taciturn nature, the Mansion seemed much duller than usual.
Hearing a noise, the person by the window turned around.
The young man’s crimson brocade robe looked enticingly bright under the lamp light, but his expression was a stark cold indifference unlike his usual demeanor.
He paid no attention to Duan Xiaoyan, and just as Duan Xiaoyan was about to speak again, he heard the person in front of him say, "Chi Jian."
Chi Jian appeared at the door: "My lord."
After a moment of silence, Pei Yunmeng spoke, "Why didn’t you tell me that Lu Tong was locked up in the Shennong Shrine?"
Duan Xiaoyan was startled and began to feel nervous.
This was the commencement of an inquisition!
The youth dared not interject, becoming as silent as a cicada in winter, pressed against the corner of the wall, trying to make himself as inconspicuous as a useless vase or an ant that happened by, hoping to be overlooked by the person in the room.
Night rain soaked the fallen petals, leaving a wet red all over the courtyard, casting a few dashes of desolation on the otherwise pleasant evening.
Chi Jian moved his lips but did not speak.
When Pei Yunmeng was leaving last time, he had instructed to keep a close watch on any movements from Lu Tong. Chi Jian was aware of Lu Tong being locked up in the Shennong Shrine, but it was Xiao Zhufeng who had intercepted the news.
Chi Jian agreed with the decision.
Doctor Lu’s status was delicate, and his actions far too bold. In the grand Imperial City, no one knew when an incident might erupt. Being involved with him was not advisable, and they should keep a distance.
Unfortunately, their lord held him in special regard.
Chi Jian complied with Xiao Zhufeng, thinking the master’s interest was a passing fancy and would soon forget about the matter, but now it seemed that they had both been mistaken.
The atmosphere in the room grew tense, and amidst the silence, Pei Yunmeng suddenly laughed, "Do you wish to belong to Xiao Zhufeng?"
Chi Jian shuddered and abruptly knelt down, his voice tinged with a hint of panic: "This subordinate is guilty!"
Their lord was usually quite good to his subordinates, to the point that they had almost forgotten what it was like when he lost his temper.
He was never lenient.
The night was quiet, with only the light pattering of rain against the windows.
With downcast eyes, the young man waited a long while, until the burning incense in the room had reached its midpoint and the ashes fell onto the table, scattered by the wind. Only then did he speak indifferently: "Go out and receive your punishment yourself."
Just a punishment, not dismissal?
Duan Xiaoyan finally let out the breath he had been holding.
It seemed that Pei Yunmeng, despite his bad mood, wasn’t completely at his wits’ end.
Chi Jian silently acknowledged and left without a word.
As Duan Xiaoyan breathed a sigh of relief, he looked up and suddenly felt as if he was the only person left in the room. Fearful that he might be the next target, he quickly pressed himself against the wall, raised his hands high, and exclaimed in his defense, "...I’ve said it before, I suggested writing a letter to you! They didn’t agree, and I couldn’t make the decision myself!"
Pei Yunmeng glanced at him and pulled something out from his bosom, tossing it into his hands.
Duan Xiaoyan looked down and saw it was a slender white porcelain bottle, and couldn’t help but ask in surprise, "What is this?"
"Appetite Pill."
Pei Yunmeng sneered, "It aids digestion and stimulates appetite. Keep it and eat it yourself."
"How did you know I’ve been overeating recently?" Duan Xiaoyan asked suspiciously, but quickly cheered up.
Bringing him a gift even when heading out? That must mean he wasn’t that upset with him.
Indeed, he still was the most favored one in the Palace Marshal’s Mansion!
The youth carefully tucked the slender bottle into his bosom with a beaming smile: "Thank you, brother!"
...
The night passed, and the spring rain turned the water green at the entrance of the courtyard, the pond covered with flowers beaten down by the previous night’s rainfall.
Lu Tong left the house with a medical kit on his back.
Yesterday, Cui Min instructed her to visit the home of Vice Minister Jin Xianrong of the Ministry of Revenue today. She was to diagnose Jin with Cao Huai. Just before leaving, Lin Danqing came out to give her numerous reminders until Chang Jin urged from behind, and she left, looking back every three steps.
When she got to the entrance of the alley, she didn’t see Cao Huai. Instead, it was his small attendant who waited under a post, explaining as soon as he saw Lu Tong: "Medical Officer Lu, my young master was unexpectedly delayed and will arrive at the Jin Mansion later. He asked me to tell you to go ahead, and he will follow shortly."
An expected development in the morning, yet an unexpected obstacle at the last moment—it was clear that Cao Huai was doing it on purpose.
Lu Tong didn’t say anything and went on her way with the medical kit.
The attendant stood under the post watching Lu Tong’s retreating figure, a glimmer of sympathy in his eyes.
It was common knowledge that the Vice Minister Jin Xianrong was not an easy person to deal with. For such a young and beautiful female Medical Officer to visit his residence alone was akin to a lamb entering the tiger’s den. They say a young maiden is thin-skinned; being verbally harassed could easily provoke her to do something regrettable like jumping into a lake.
Such misfortune.
...
Today, the residence of Vice Minister Jin Xianrong of the Ministry of Revenue was unusually quiet.