Chapter 79: Chapter 58 Marshal Visits_1
Lu Tong left the Dong Residence when it was already noon.
At this time, the sun was at its strongest, and fearing the heat of summer, Lady Dong arranged for the Dong family’s carriage to take her back.
Riding along in the carriage was an old servant, Missus Wang, a servant of the Dong family, who also accompanied Lu Tong back from Wan’en Temple previously.
Missus Wang’s manner towards Lu Tong was much more polite than before, chatting with her amicably the entire way. When they arrived at Renxin Medical Hall, Lu Tong thanked Missus Wang and was about to lift the carriage curtain and alight when suddenly, she heard Missus Wang exclaim "Eh" from beside her.
Lu Tong turned her head, and Missus Wang pointed outside the carriage, "Isn’t that Lord Pei?"
Lu Tong followed her gaze.
The sun blazed down, and a layer of soft moss had grown under the eaves along the street after the rain, looking so green and lovely. Ivy roots spread up the wall, creating a sense of secluded charm amid the summer’s day, where the cool and warm hues were clearly distinct.
A man stood within the shadow of the eaves, seemingly aware of Lu Tong’s gaze and thus halted in his steps, lifting his eyes to look at her.
The speckled sunlight filtered through the gaps of the plum tree by the entrance, casting a few strands upon him. The young man’s expression was obscured in the shadow, but the beautiful black eyes looking at her were filled with depth.
Crimson robe and silver blade, he was the elegant and noble Commander of the Imperial Guards, Pei Yunmeng.
Lu Tong couldn’t help but feel her heart skip a beat.
Just a few hours earlier, she had been fabricating stories in front of Lady Dong, suggesting her close relationship with Pei Yunmeng, and now she had bumped into him, feeling as if she’d been caught out in her lie.
Missus Wang’s eyes were still glancing between Pei Yunmeng and Lu Tong when Lu Tong put on a smile and turned to the old servant, "Lord Pei is here to see me. Thank you for your efforts today, Missus Wang. I shall go ahead."
Missus Wang said hurriedly, "Doctor Lu, please go on with your business." But the look she gave her was quite different from before.
Seeing that she had achieved her aim, Lu Tong didn’t say more and stood up to get out of the carriage.
No sooner had she stepped down than the young man by Pei Yunmeng’s side, seeing Lu Tong approach, immediately started waving energetically at her, "Doctor Lu!"
Lu Tong walked over and stopped in front of Pei Yunmeng and Duan Xiaoyan, saying, "Lord Pei, Young Master Duan."
"Doctor Lu," Duan Xiaoyan greeted her with a beaming smile, "We’ve just arrived, and were wondering why we didn’t see you in the medical hall. We thought you weren’t here today, but unexpectedly, we’ve run into you here. It must be fate."
Pei Yunmeng said nothing, his gaze drifting past her to the carriage stop at the medical hall entrance—the one from the Dong family.
"Is that the carriage from the Minister of Imperial Treasury’s residence?" He raised an eyebrow.
Lu Tong replied, "Indeed it is."
Pei Yunmeng nodded nonchalantly, a peculiar look in his eyes as he smiled at Lu Tong, "Since when has Doctor Lu been on such good terms with the Minister of Imperial Treasury?"
A sinking feeling hit Lu Tong.
His tone was calm, but the look he gave her was as sharp as the edge of a blade.
Lu Tong collected herself and responded with furrowed brows, "It was all thanks to Lord Pei’s assistance last time in clearing the misunderstanding with Lady Dong. Now, I occasionally visit the Minister of Imperial Treasury’s residence to treat Young Master Dong."
She discreetly kicked the ball back into his court.
Pei Yunmeng looked down at her.
After a while, he nodded, "I see." His tone was indifferent, and it was unclear whether he believed her or not.
Lu Tong then asked Pei Yunmeng, "May I know what brings Lord Pei here all of a sudden?"
"I’m here to collect a debt."
"Collect a debt?"
He clicked his tongue and reminded Lu Tong with a smile, "Doctor Lu must have a short memory like that of the nobility. How could you have forgotten? You still owe me two packets of Chun Shui Sheng at Lu Yuan Pawnshop."
Lu Yuan Pawnshop?
Chun Shui Sheng?
Lu Tong suddenly remembered.
These days, she had been busy making and selling "Xianxian," and indeed, she had forgotten about this matter.
Duan Xiaoyan looked at Lu Tong, "Doctor Lu, you really did forget our Lord completely."
Yin Zheng, who had just come out from the medical hall, coughed softly upon hearing this. The way it was phrased, those unaware might think there was something between Lu Tong and Pei Yunmeng.
Lu Tong turned and headed inside the medical hall, "I will fetch the medicinal tea. Lord Pei, Young Master Duan, please come in and have a seat."
The shop was very quiet.
It was too hot today and Du Changqing, who was averse to heat and lazy, didn’t come to the medical hall. Only Ah Cheng and Yin Zheng were busy inside the store.
The herbs that had been spilled in the inner shop had already been tidied up by Ah Cheng. Yin Zheng invited the two guests to sit on bamboo chairs and went into the courtyard to brew tea for them.
Ah Cheng stood at a distance, the clever lad had already noticed that the two visitors were of no ordinary status, especially the young man sitting inside. Wearing a golden crown and embroidered clothing, he looked exceedingly handsome and dashing, like a high-born gentleman. Yet the long blade at his waist emitted a chilling gleam, adding a sharp edge to his splendor.