Chapter 552: Chapter 194: Lacking Morality_4
After many years of calm, the peace was finally shattered.
"Bang—" came a sound.
Duan Xiaoyan walked in from outside, drenched in sweat, followed by Xiao Zhufeng who took off his wrist guards. The two sat down in the room and poured themselves some tea to drink.
Pei Yunmeng was displeased, "Is this a martial arts field?"
It wasn’t his day to be on duty.
Lacking any pressing matters at the Palace Marshal’s Mansion, he returned home to check on Treasure Bead, but these two had arrived uninvited, insisting on practicing their swordplay in his mansion’s courtyard.
"The martial arts field is too crowded," Duan Xiaoyan said, tilting his head back to drink his tea, "Your place is quiet, and with such a large garden without even a single flower, it’s a waste not to use it."
Pei Yunmeng’s residence was separated by a wall from Pei Yunshu, who loved planting flowers, resulting in a garden blooming with lavish florals. In contrast, Pei Yunmeng’s garden was barren, which made it perfectly suitable for practicing the sword—and there was no worry of sword qi damaging the flowers.
"After practice," he pulled a wry face, "can you leave?"
Duan Xiaoyan put his teacup down on the table and said firmly, "I want to mooch a meal."
Pei Yunmeng: "..."
The youth said with righteous indignation, "I heard that you hired the chef from Shiding Xuan to cook delicious food for Sister Yunshu every day."
"You’ll be dining in Sister Yunshu’s room later anyway, so since we’re already here, just take us with you."
Pei Yunmeng glanced at him, "Did you spend all your salary in advance again?"
Duan Xiaoyan smiled sheepishly.
"The other day I passed by Wenqiao Pavilion, and the shopkeeper mentioned they had just acquired a jade pillow. Lying on it feels cool, and they say that using it for several years keeps one forever young and robust. Hearing that it was the last one, I bought it on impulse... We don’t earn much salary after all."
Pei Yunmeng watched him intently for a good while and then chuckled, "You’re going to be swindled out of a lot of silver when you’re old."
"I..."
Just as he was about to speak, someone else entered.
The newcomer was Qingfeng, who produced a fancy invitation from his bosom and said in a low voice, "Master, the Renxin Medical Hall has sent an anniversary invitation."
Xiao Zhufeng was startled, and Duan Xiaoyan had already sprung up, "Renxin Medical Hall?"
He dashed to Pei Yunmeng’s side, craning his neck to read the invitation, "...Celebrating fifty years of establishment and expansion of the premises... Hmm, the Renxin Medical Hall is doing pretty well."
The youth leaned in, imploring, "Brother, take me with you when you go; I want to check it out, too."
Ever since Lu Tong left the Hanlin Medical Institute and returned to West Street, Pei Yunmeng had been meaning to visit West Street, but the sudden military affairs at Qi Shui were abrupt, Emperor Liang Ming summoned him day after day until deep into the night, and so one delay led to another.
The arrival of the invitation now was perfect timing.
Qingfeng hesitated for a moment, "Master, there’s another thing..."
"Speak."
"When the folks from Renxin Medical Hall delivered the anniversary invitation, they made a point of asking for you to make sure to attend, they’ve invited quite a few people..."
"Hanlin Medical Officer Ji Xun will also be there."
As soon as these words were spoken, the room suddenly fell silent.
Pei Yunmeng slowly looked up: "Ji Xun?"
The gaze from above suddenly felt somewhat oppressive, and Qingfeng bravely continued, "The Medical Hall people said that Doctor Lu sent Doctor Ji his invitation first."
"First?"
Pei Yunmeng’s face was expressionless, "Why is Ji Xun here too?"
"What else could it be, after all, she’s Doctor Lu’s betrothed," Duan Xiaoyan interjected casually, then brought his palms together excitedly, "Exactly, I was right, Ji Xun and Doctor Lu indeed have no lack of connection. I’ve never seen Doctor Lu take the initiative with anyone else like this before."
As he thought about it, he felt somewhat emotional, "Speaking of which, these two really do look well matched."
Pei Yunmeng was indifferent, "How are they well matched?"
"Both have a similarly aloof and indifferent demeanor, passionate about medicine, Doctor Lu loves wearing white, Young Master Ji also loves wearing white, isn’t that enough to be well matched?"
Pei Yunmeng remained silent.
Xiao Zhufeng’s shoulders shrugged.
He scoffed, "First to give Ji Xun a formal invitation, it seems the title of fiancé has indeed fallen to another house."
Pei Yunmeng emphasized, "She and Ji Xun don’t seem familiar at all."
"That’s even worse," Xiao Zhufeng said blandly, "Men cherish their later wives, women value their former husbands. You, the newcomer, don’t seem to have gained an advantage."
Duan Xiaoyan’s eyes widened as if he had discovered a secret and suddenly spoke, "What? You actually have feelings for Doctor Lu..."
Pei Yunmeng gave him a cold look, "Shut up."
Duan Xiaoyan fell silent.
The youth’s face still showed an incredulous surprise and doubt, but he consoled reflexively, "It’s alright, it’s alright, Young Master Ji’s nowhere near as good as you, you’re handsome and skillful, and you look quite well matched with Doctor Lu too, Doctor Lu loves wearing white, you wear black, the two of you together..."
His gaze flicked over to Pei Yunmeng, who was wearing a black brocade robe with a circular collar and hawk pattern, exuding a sharp and impressive air, Sui strained his brain to say, "...look like a pair of black and white impermanence."
Pei Yunmeng: "..."
Duan Xiaoyan awkwardly said, "That’s a compliment, praising you."
Xiao Zhufeng snickered.
As they were talking, Fangzi knocked on the door from outside and said softly, "Princely Heir, dinner is ready, Miss invites you to come now." She also saw the other two people in the room: "Young Master Duan and Deputy Envoy Xiao are also here?"
Xiao Zhufeng stood up, "No need, I have something else to do, I’ll take my leave first."
Duan Xiaoyan was perplexed, "Eh? We’re about to have dinner..."
Pei Yunmeng looked towards Xiao Zhufeng, his eyes seemed to smile but not really, "Not seizing the opportunity?"
Xiao Zhufeng ignored him, straightened his sword, nodded slightly to Fangzi, then sidestepped and left.
After he left, Duan Xiaoyan was still puzzled, "What business does he have? Didn’t he say he was coming to mooch a meal? How come he left just before he could mooch?"
"Never mind him."
The young man picked up the celebration invitation, his gaze landing on the name on it.
The handwriting wasn’t Doctor Lu’s, but it was similarly hurried, clearly revealing that the person sending the invitation hadn’t put in much effort, as if it was written in a rush on a whim.
Having been silent too long, Duan Xiaoyan noticed his gloomy expression and tentatively asked, "Brother, are we still going to the celebration banquet at Renxin Medical Hall?"
Pei Yunmeng put down the invitation.
"Yes."
He looked up, smiling indifferently with a touch of coldness in his tone.
"Of course we’re going."