Chapter 82: Chapter 59 Zhao Feiyan_1
"Miss, that Lord Pei is so terrifying," Yin Zheng cautiously circled to Lu Tong’s side and whispered after he left the clinic. "He always smiles but, why does he look like the King of Hell in the hall?"
"When he brought up the affair of the Ke Family, could he have discovered something?"
Lu Tong shook her head, "No." After a pause, she added, "Even if there is something, there’s no evidence."
The Ke Family had completely fallen; the sole witness, Wan Fu, had left Shengjing with his wife and children many days ago, disappearing without a trace. The new bride of the Ke Family returned to her parental home. Like monkeys fleeing from a fallen tree, the servants of the Ke Family had either run away or dispersed. The only one left was Madam Ke, who, not long before, had fallen in a scuffle with a maid over stolen possessions, and shortly after being carried back to her couch, had passed away.
The once-flourishing and esteemed pottery Ke Family, favored by the Grand Preceptor’s Mansion, was now in ruin.
As Commander of the Imperial Guards of the Palace Front Office, even if Pei Yunmeng harbored suspicions about the Ke Family, as long as he did not wish to destroy his own future, he couldn’t actively interfere with a case involving people related to the previous dynasty, to avoid any troubles.
Thus, the matter was over.
Yin Zheng was still somewhat worried, but seeing Lu Tong seemingly unconcerned, she gradually calmed down and handed Lu Tong a cup of tea, asking softly, "Miss, was your trip to the Dong Residence today a success?"
Lu Tong hummed in response and took a sip of tea from Yin Zheng’s hand.
The tea was mildly bitter, dispelling the heat of summer. She closed the teacup lid and set the teacup down while gently massaging her temples.
In these days, whether she played the role of Xianxian or had rumors spread in the market that "Pork Pan An" was slandering others, it was all just to spread the name of this medicinal tea far and wide, to reach those with intentions.
For instance... to the ears of Fan Zhenglian, the Judicial Commissioner of the Trial Court.
Shengjing’s famous "Fan Qingtian" Fan Zhenglian, known for his acute judgement and strict enforcement of the law. It was this Fan Qingtian who pronounced the charges and search for Lu Qian, making him a man reviled by everyone, a prisoner beneath the steps.
She knew nothing of the Fan Family, and Lord Cao was cautious and unwilling to sell official information, so if she wanted to get close to the Fan Family, Lu Tong had to rely on herself.
She was merely a resident doctor in an ordinary clinic; families like that of Fan Zhenglian would usually seek medical physicians from the Hanlin Medical Institute for treatment—she had no other opportunity.
Fortunately, Yin Zheng was resourceful and managed to piece together some useful information from the neighbor, Du Changqing. Fan Zhenglian’s wife, Zhao, was plump and deeply wished for a slender waist. So Lu Tong became "Xianxian," and once the name of this medicinal tea became well-known throughout Shengjing and started circulating among the wives and daughters from prestigious families, it might reach Zhao’s awareness.
Shengjing was vast; the entire common population of Changwu County could not compare to the prosperous farms outside of Shengjing’s outer city. To spread a message to the ears of the desired listener was full of coincidences and chance.
But she was patient— if not in one day, then in two; if not in two days, then in three. Whether it meant being unscrupulous or finding another way— in one month or two, in one year or two—when a person is set on getting close to someone else, they will always find a way.
Lu Tong’s fingers unconsciously traced the raised patterns on the teacup case.
The words Dong Lin had said to her today once again surfaced in her mind.
"In a few more days, at the Shengjing Summer Viewing Banquet, all the ladies and misses will attend. My mother... she does not wish to be outdone at the banquet."
The Summer Viewing Banquet...
All the ladies and misses would attend; she wondered if Fan Zhenglian’s wife, Zhao, would be present.
Today, first with her misleading words to Lady Dong concerning her relationship with Pei Yunmeng, then with Missus Wang personally witnessing Pei Yunmeng coming to the clinic to find someone from the carriage—if nothing unexpected happened, Missus Wang should report the matter back to Lady Dong.
Since Lady Dong was eager to smooth things over with Pei Yunmeng, even if it was just to give him a favor, she would be willing to give her a mention at the Summer Viewing Banquet.
In Lu Tong’s heart, a faint sense of longing, long missed, began to emerge. This longing was like a black beetle that Lady Yun had placed on her wound years ago, burrowing into her body, moving through her limbs, crawling silently beneath her skin, causing a shiver.
It made her both yearn and fear.
She took a deep breath, suppressing that secret shudder, and called the name of the person beside her, "Yin Zheng."
"What is it, Miss?"
Lu Tong looked at her, "I want to know, when does the Shengjing Summer Viewing Banquet begin?"
Yin Zheng blinked, then with a sly smile, said, "Don’t worry, leave it to me!"
...
Lu Tong’s original intention was to hope that at the Summer Viewing Banquet, Zhao might attend, and with a casual mention from Lady Dong, "Xianxian" might be able to connect with the Judicial Commissioner’s wife.
But Lady Dong was much quicker to act than Lu Tong had anticipated.