Chapter 109: Chapter 67 Unexpected Guest _3
He would stop in front of the door, then, with a sudden gesture, pull out the hands he had been hiding behind his back, laughing boisterously, "Look, the grasshopper I’ve just caught for you!" And then he’d run away, laughing loudly, while she chased after him in a huff.
But Lu Qian was already dead.
He died in the Trial Court under the judicial commissioner Fan Zhenglian.
Lu Tong’s eyelashes trembled slightly.
All those who had participated in their deaths should be buried with them.
...
The night’s rain, in the end, never fell, and the next day was sunny.
It was nearly the start of autumn, the dog days had not yet passed, and the heat was becoming more oppressive. Lu Tong, when going to the Fan Mansion to treat Zhao Feiyan, switched to making visits in the morning—the afternoons were unbearably hot.
This was Lu Tong’s last house visit to treat Lady Zhao.
Lady Zhao had slimmed down to a figure she was extremely satisfied with. Any thinner, and her cheeks would appear less plump. It was said that at a recent summer viewing banquet, she had made quite the stunning entrance. Naturally pretty and full-figured, she now had a different kind of beauty after losing weight. With all the praise she had received at the banquet, she was in a good mood.
With her vanity satisfied and her relationship with Fan Zhenglian more loving than ever, Lady Zhao’s view of Lu Tong improved significantly. When Lu Tong was leaving, she even had a servant pay her all the withheld fees for her consultations.
Lady Zhao’s maid, Cui’er, accompanied Lu Tong and Yin Zheng to the exit, handing a basket to Yin Zheng, "Miss Yinzhen, please take care."
Yin Zheng smiled as she took it.
Seeing this, a hint of disdain flickered in Cui’er’s eyes.
The basket was filled with things like homegrown chicken eggs, gifts from others. Fan Zhenglian and Lady Zhao received gifts of treasures and gold on a daily basis, only those who were clueless and poor would send such items. Even the servants looked down on these preserved goods and local produce, piling them carelessly outside in the kitchen yard. Little did they know when Lu Tong passed by, she stared at those preserved items for a long time.
The kitchen was already annoyed with these worthless things. Seeing Lu Tong’s interest, Cui’er took the opportunity to give them to her as a favor, never expecting Lu Tong to actually accept them with gratitude and joy.
Rural bumpkins truly can’t fit in with high society, Cui’er thought while sending Lu Tong and Yin Zheng out the door with some polite words before leaving.
Having just stepped about ten paces away from the Fan Mansion, Lu Tong and her companion ran into someone.
The man wore an old robe, tall in stature, and was Fan Zhenglian’s capable adjutant—the Court Record Keeper, Qi Chuan.
Lu Tong and Yin Zheng stopped in their tracks.
As the Court Record Keeper, Qi Chuan’s activities were more like those of the Fan Mansion’s steward. Whether it was receiving visitors, delivering goods, or even when Zhao Feiyan suddenly craved a particular regional drink or sweet syrup, he would be called upon to handle it.
Therefore, Lu Tong often saw this Record Keeper when she visited the Fan Mansion for medical consultations.
Occasionally crossing paths, Qi Chuan knew that Lu Tong was treating Lady Zhao. When they happened upon each other, he would even exchange greetings.
Today was no different. Lu Tong greeted Qi Chuan respectfully, and he politely responded before heading towards the entrance of the Fan Mansion.
Yin Zheng passed by him with a smile, the bamboo basket in her hands swinging conspicuously, catching the sunlight.
Qi Chuan’s steps came to an abrupt halt.
He turned back, his gaze falling on the bamboo basket held by Yin Zheng.
The basket, woven from fresh bamboo, held a variety of goods in its many layers—salted meats, eggs, fresh yams, sweet potatoes... The eggs were neatly arranged, wrapped in straw paper to prevent damage on the way.
He stared blankly at the basket in Yin Zheng’s hands until Lu Tong’s voice snapped him out of it, "Record Keeper Qi?"
He looked up, meeting Lu Tong’s puzzled gaze.
Qi Chuan opened his mouth, then after a long pause said, "Doctor Lu, where did you get that bamboo basket in your hands?"
Lu Tong smiled, "It’s a parting gift from Lady Fan."
"What parting gift?" Yin Zheng scoffed coldly, "Lady Fan would never give such a shabby gift. It was clearly the servants treating us like beggars. I heard them; they said these were pickled goods given by poor folks, already rotting and just taking up space in the mansion, so they gave them to us. It’s only because you are too kindhearted that you were taken in by their nonsense."
"Nonsense," Lu Tong rebuked, then turned to Qi Chuan with an apologetic tone, "The girl is speaking out of turn without understanding, I hope Lord Qi will disregard her words."
Qi Chuan’s face turned a little pale upon hearing this, he forced a smile towards them and then left.
As his figure disappeared behind the Fan Mansion doors, Lu Tong withdrew her gaze.
She turned to Yin Zheng, "Let’s go."