Chapter 244: Chapter 105 Lady of Lord Zhao Ning_3
His tone was casual, as if he hadn’t noticed Lu Tong’s face growing cold. He continued, "Before Fan Zhenglian died, there was a rumor that his collusion with the Ministry of Rites to manipulate the imperial examinations was at the behest of the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion. Not long after, Fan Zhenglian hanged himself in his prison cell. Some suspect it was the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion silencing him."
Lu Tong didn’t get angry but laughed instead, "Does Lord Pei really think I have the ability to make a prisoner hang himself in jail?"
Pei Yunmeng nodded, "Doctor Lu certainly doesn’t have that ability, but last night was the birthday of Qi Yutai, the legitimate son of Grand Preceptor Qi. Doctor Lu dressed as a dancing girl and went up to the third floor of the Yuxian Tower, which just happened to be where Qi Yutai was staying."
"I’m thinking..."
He leaned closer to Lu Tong, staring into her eyes with a faint smile as he began, "Doctor Lu surely didn’t set out with the intention of targeting the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, did she?"
A catch formed in Lu Tong’s heart.
Pei Yunmeng was very close.
Clad in official attire, unlike the previous night’s play-acting amidst the bejeweled and brocade-draped chamber, the young man leaning slightly on the desk cabinet seemed to shed even that speck of reality from the rouge tower. His smiling eyes and brows still apparent, yet his gaze was as sharp as a blade’s edge, slicing through the secrets hidden deep within one’s heart.
She was aware of his scheming mind, but being too clever and not hiding his intelligence made him a threat to others.
A threat... ought to be ruthlessly removed.
Just then, a sudden voice emerged from behind, "What are you two doing?!"
Shopkeeper Du, who had come out with tea, raised his eyes only to see the two locked in a gaze across the long table and couldn’t help but cry out.
Lu Tong was taken aback for a moment, stepping back slightly to increase the distance between herself and Pei Yunmeng.
But Shopkeeper Du, like an old farmer who watched his cabbages being uprooted by a pig, rushed over in a few steps and slammed the teacup onto the table with such force that tea splashed across one side of the prescription papers.
He stood in front of Lu Tong, his gaze towards Pei Yunmeng filled with vigilance, "Lord Pei, our Doctor Lu is already betrothed. One should maintain a certain decorum in their conduct."
Lu Tong: "..."
"Betrothal?"
Pei Yunmeng straightened up, appearing interested as he asked further, "Shopkeeper Du, have you met Doctor Lu’s fiancé?"
Shopkeeper Du chuckled with a forced smile, "Of course I have. Doctor Lu’s fiancé is young and promising, with a noble family background. Plus Doctor Lu has saved his life. They are a match made in heaven, a golden boy and a jade girl. Doctor Lu came to Shangjing to fulfill the marriage engagement."
Pei Yunmeng laughed, "Why haven’t I seen him?"
"Coming from a distinguished family, there are strict rules," Shopkeeper Du lied without blinking, "and he’s also busy serving in the palace. How could he have the time to wander around like a persistent plaster?"
He intentionally emphasized the words "persistent plaster."
No sooner had he finished speaking than someone outside asked, "Who are you calling a persistent plaster?"
Sister Song, helping Widow Sun enter, was greeted with a smile by Yin Zheng, "Widow Sun, Sister Song, what brings you here?"
Widow Sun tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, softly saying, "Somehow, I’ve been sleeping restlessly at night of late, so I came to see Doctor Lu for advice."
Lu Tong stepped forward, inviting Widow Sun to sit down for a pulse diagnosis, while Sister Song looked at Pei Yunmeng and asked Shopkeeper Du, "Shopkeeper Du, who is this handsome young man? He isn’t from our West Street, is he?"
Shopkeeper Du rolled his eyes, and Ah Cheng eagerly replied, "This is Lord Pei, Lord Zhao Ning’s princely heir, the commander from the Palace Front Office!"
Widow Sun’s face flushed at once. She stole a glance at Pei Yunmeng, seemingly pleased, and asked in a low voice, "Do you know whether this Lord Pei is betrothed to anyone yet?"
Shopkeeper Du: "..."
Yin Zheng turned her back to them, hiding her laughter.
With several more people in the clinic, it immediately felt crowded. Pei Yunmeng, however, seemed unconcerned, picking up the medicine he had prepared earlier and saying to Lu Tong, "I still have official duties to attend to, we’ll talk another day. Doctor Lu, I’m leaving."
With that, he turned and left the clinic.
Widow Sun and Sister Song followed suit, turning to leave while muttering, "Such a handsome man," craning their necks to catch a glimpse of his departing figure, showing a touch of reluctance.
Shopkeeper Du slapped the counter and said, "What’s there to look at? Haven’t you seen a handsome man before? Isn’t this big handsome man in front of you enough for you to look at? Isn’t it annoying!"
Widow Sun ignored his impolite behavior, only raising her head to lean close to Lu Tong, "Doctor Lu, are you very familiar with this Lord Pei? Will he come to West Street again?"
Sister Song added, "Next time he comes, let me know. I’d have my girl take a look; such a handsome young man would be a fine son-in-law."