Chapter 50: Chapter 49: Taking the Lead_1
The pavilion was surrounded by onlookers, and the woman was dressed extravagantly and had an overpowering presence; she obviously came from a notable background.
In front of her, there was a large number of guards and old maids, and the tall guard at the very front was very familiar. Lu Tong remembered that yesterday, as she and Yin Zheng were going up the mountain, they had been squeezed to the side by a luxurious carriage at the temple gate that took the lead. The coachman of the carriage was arrogant and insolent, shouting at them from the front, and the guard she saw now was the same person.
The woman before her must surely be the owner of that carriage.
Lu Tong looked at the group of master and servants with their imposing manner and spoke calmly, "The young master originally had a chronic asthma condition, and it is unknown what substance was inhaled, causing an imbalance in the lung’s descending and dispersing functions, resulting in short and rapid breathing, and congestion in the upper part of the body. If the acquired constitution isn’t warmed and nourished in time, there could be a risk to his life."
Yin Zheng also chimed in, "That’s right, if it hadn’t been for my lady’s timely treatment just now, your son would have almost run out of breath."
On hearing this, the woman’s face turned a livid shade of iron blue, "Utter nonsense!"
"My son was perfectly fine; what chronic disease does he have? You lowlife, spouting rubbish here and tarnishing my son’s reputation. Sheng Quan!" Without even thinking, she ordered the guard beside her, "This woman is spewing ridiculous claims and has made my son look like this. Take her away to the officials, beat her with dozens of planks, and see if she dares to talk nonsense!"
Upon hearing her command, the guard, without a word, went to pull at Lu Tong, but before he could lay a hand on her, a hand grasped his arm.
The hand grasping his arm was long, delicate, and fair, with distinct joints but seemed to contain boundless strength. There was a crisp sound of cracking joints, causing even the tall guard to show a pained expression.
The young man’s smile seemed both mocking and nonchalant, "I was unaware that the Minister of Imperial Treasury had such fanfare."
With just one sentence, the woman’s expression changed.
Lu Tong looked towards Pei Yunmeng, who released his grip, and the guard suddenly regained his freedom, looking unwilling, and was about to grit his teeth and make another move.
There was a "whoosh" sound.
A shining long saber was half drawn from its sheath, emanating a threatening aura. The other half remained hidden within the dark scabbard, gleaming coldly, much like the indifferent smile on his face.
Pei Yunmeng stood beside Lu Tong, one hand on the hilt of his partially drawn saber, as his smile faded, "Who wishes to make a move?"
Xiao Zhufeng and Duan Xiaoyan, seeing this, also stepped forward to shield Pei Yunmeng. Duan Xiaoyan said, "How audacious, to show such disrespect to the Princely Heir!"
"The Princely Heir?" The woman paused, surprised.
Duan Xiaoyan took off his waist plaque, walked in front of the woman, ensuring she had a clear view, "Does the madam also intend to take our Princely Heir away?"
The woman initially seemed somewhat defiant and suspicious, as if doubting Duan Xiaoyan’s words, but upon clearly seeing the characters on the waist plaque, her expression immediately stiffened. She turned to look at Pei Yunmeng, her eyes revealing a trace of fear, and said, "So it’s Marshal Pei."
At her words, Lu Tong felt a stir of emotion.
The fact that she called him "Marshal Pei" rather than "Princely Heir" suggested that Pei Yunmeng’s identity as the son of Lord Zhao Ning was not as well-known as his title as Commander of the Imperial Guards.
Observing the woman’s demeanor... could it be that Lord Pei, during his time in office, did something that people found intimidating?
The woman laughed, "My husband once told me about Marshal Pei’s achievements at a young age, a man of remarkable talent. Seeing you today, your reputation is indeed well-deserved." She greeted Pei Yunmeng with a stiff smile, but her eyes anxiously glanced at her son being helped up by the servants.
Pei Yunmeng smiled, sheathed his saber, and said indifferently, "You flatter me."
He did not reciprocate her overture.
The woman glanced again at Lu Tong, as if speculating about her relationship with Pei Yunmeng. Hesitating, she bit down and said, "I was anxious earlier and misunderstood this young lady’s words. I hope the young lady doesn’t take it to heart."
Lu Tong lowered her eyes, "No harm done."
As they were speaking, the young master, being supported by the servants, started to gasp heavily again, looking extremely pained. Seeing this, the woman’s expression changed, and she couldn’t concern herself with Lu Tong and Pei Yunmeng anymore. She pulled the young master into her arms, nearly in tears, "Lin’er!"
She urged the maids beside her, "Have you summoned the doctor yet?"
The maid shook her head, equally anxious, "The temple’s doctor went down the mountain and hasn’t returned yet." She quickly lowered her voice, "The young master’s fit came on suddenly today; it looks even worse than before. What should we do?"
Lu Tong saw their panic causing her previously inserted Golden Needle to be squeezed out, and her expression paused for a moment.
Pei Yunmeng glanced at her, then suddenly turned to the woman and spoke, "It seems the young master is not well at the moment. Why not ask this doctor to take a look?"