Chapter 611: Chapter 212 Using Me
Lu Tong left the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion and didn’t head straight for West Street; instead, she turned towards Official Lane.
The medical clinic was short on one ingredient, Hibiscus mutabilis, which Miao Liangfang urgently needed for a prescription. He had asked the Medical Practice for some ground into powder, and since Lu Tong would pass by Official Lane on her way back to West Street from the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, she said she would pick it up on her way back.
By the time she reached the Medical Practice and obtained a small bag of Hibiscus mutabilis powder, paid the silver coin, Lu Tong, holding the cloth bag, walked back.
It was still early, and the streets were bustling with people. She wandered absentmindedly with the crowd, and as she walked, the people around her suddenly rushed to escape, leaving her to pause as she felt a few drops of coolness fall upon her. Looking up, she saw dense clouds overhead, and the long rain arrived abruptly.
Unbeknownst to her, it had begun to rain.
She hadn’t brought an umbrella when she left and was still a distance from West Street; the continuous drizzle quickly drenched her through.
In the pouring rain, amid the hurried figures seeking shelter, she stood transfixed, gazing towards the rain-enshrouded Imperial City, when suddenly, someone pulled her from behind. A paper umbrella swiftly covered her head, and a familiar voice sounded beside her ear: "What are you doing standing in the rain like that?"
Lu Tong looked up.
Pei Yunmeng stood before her.
His appearance was so sudden that Lu Tong couldn’t help but feel momentarily dazed.
The young man must have just finished his duties not long ago; he was still in his official uniform. Seeing her silent, he reached out to touch her forehead.
The cool touch of his hand was like a melting flake of snow on her forehead, but it gradually cleared the fog from Lu Tong’s mind.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Looking for you. I heard you went to Official Lane, so I thought I’d try my luck. Didn’t expect to find you standing punishment in the rain," he replied, withdrawing his hand and frowning at Lu Tong: "You don’t have a fever, do you?"
Lu Tong remained silent, and he glanced again at the soaked long dress on her body, then took off his outer robe and draped it over her shoulders.
"Your clothes are wet, and we’re near the Palace Marshal’s Mansion. Let’s go there to take shelter from the rain," he said.
Without waiting for Lu Tong to refuse, he pulled her onto the carriage, no questions asked.
...
Lu Tong went to the Palace Marshal’s Mansion with Pei Yunmeng.
No one was at the Palace Marshal’s Mansion except for two Imperial Guards on rotating duty at the entrance.
Seeing Lu Tong, the guards immediately became all smiles, ready to greet her, but after a glance from Pei Yunmeng, they withdrew and focused on their guard duty.
Pei Yunmeng led Lu Tong to a small room in the Palace Marshal’s Mansion, saying, "There are new Imperial Guard uniforms on the table. Make do with them for now. I’ll have someone dry your dress." He also explained, "The Palace Marshal’s Mansion doesn’t have women’s clothing."
Lu Tong agreed.
"You change," he said: "I’ll stand guard at the door."
Lu Tong closed the door.
The small room wasn’t large, furnished with a wooden couch against the wall and a wooden tub half the height of a person behind a hibiscus screen. Draped over the screen was a black Wrinkled Silver Cape that looked familiar.
As she stared at it, Lu Tong remembered seeing this cape before—it was from the time she had a chance encounter with Pei Yunmeng at Yuxian Tower.
It seemed to be a place where Pei Yunmeng occasionally rested.
She glanced towards the door and, without further hesitation, took off her soaked dress and changed into dry clothing.
After changing, Lu Tong opened the door, and Pei Yunmeng turned to look at her, frowning: "Has the Medical Officer Institute been treating you harshly? You’ve gotten so thin."
She didn’t need to wear the guards’ armor, so she just put on the innermost layer of cloth. She was naturally frail, and the oversized Imperial Guard uniform on her made her look even more gaunt. Her hair bun had been taken down as well, slightly damp and draped over her shoulders, making her complexion look pitifully pale.
Lu Tong stepped out: "It’s your clothes that are too large."
He then smiled, said nothing more, and took the black cape from the screen to wrap around her, also instructing someone to dry Lu Tong’s wet dress.
After doing all this, Lu Tong followed him into the study.
Xiao Zhufeng wasn’t there today, but the desk was still piled high with official documents. Pei Yunmeng poured her a cup of hot tea, which, when held in the palm, was very warm.
Lighting a fire indoors was superfluous this time of year. Wearing the Imperial Guard uniform and Pei Yunmeng’s cape, and holding the tea in her hands, Lu Tong took small sips. When she tasted it, she was surprised, "Sweet syrup?"
"Ginger Honey Drink," Pei Yunmeng said: "You’ve been caught in the rain, drink ginger water to dispel the cold."
Lu Tong said nothing more.
Outside the window, the sound of rain whispered, hitting the parasol tree in front of the door, rustling.
Both were very quiet.
She was more silent today than before, seemingly somewhat preoccupied.
Pei Yunmeng glanced at her and suddenly said: "I heard that Qi Yutai got physical with you today."
Lu Tong’s tea-drinking motion paused.
In the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, the guard who interrupted Qi Yutai and shrewdly led her away with an excuse related to Qi Huaying had a red birthmark at the corner of his eye.
Pei Yunmeng had once mentioned that the guard had been arranged by him in the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion.