Chapter 102: Chapter 65: Pei Yunmeng’s Suspicions_1

After Minor Heat passed in Shengjing, the weather became increasingly hot.

Outside the silk shoe shop on West Street, a canopy made of brocade had been set up; as evening approached, vendors sat in pairs and groups underneath to escape the heat.

Today was pleasantly cool. With the absence of the morning sun, Du Changqing took his servant Xia Rongrong for a casual stroll in the city, intending also to buy some local products for Xia Rongrong’s parents. Only Ah Cheng and Yin Zheng were left in the clinic to help Lu Tong sort the herbs.

Lu Tong sat in the clinic, stacking the newly made "Xianxian" in a corner of the long cabinet. She had recently accrued a debt of one hundred silver pieces from Du Changqing and had no choice but to make extra medicinal teas to compensate.

Yin Zheng was sweeping the floor, while Ah Cheng had gone to the starch shop on West Street to buy sweet syrup for Lu Tong.

Du Changqing could not understand Lu Tong’s taste, but to her, the syrup from the newly opened shop was just sweet enough. For only three copper coins, she got two cups; since everyone else at the clinic found it too sweet, Lu Tong ended up drinking both cups herself every day.

About half an incense stick later, just as Lu Tong had finished arranging the teas, Ah Cheng returned.

Ah Cheng came back looking hesitant, holding the bamboo tubes filled with syrup, and seemed somewhat restless.

Lu Tong glanced at him, "Why don’t you come in?"

Before Ah Cheng could speak, a sudden voice called from behind, "Doctor Lu!"

Lu Tong paused in her task of arranging the medicinal teas, and Yin Zheng, who was sweeping, straightened to look outside the door.

Duan Xiaoyan walked in with a cheerful grin from the door, greeting the people familiarly, "Miss Yin Zheng."

Lu Tong looked toward him; behind Duan Xiaoyan stood a handsome young man with a sword, smiling as he met her gaze.

Lu Tong felt a sinking feeling in her heart.

This man was like a bad penny.

She paused for a moment, then asked in an indifferent voice, "What brings Lord Pei here?"

Pei Yunmeng entered, "To buy medicine."

"To buy medicine?"

Duan Xiaoyan turned around, "Recently, with the summer heat intense, the brothers in the camp inevitably suffer from it while on duty. The lord wishes to purchase some medicinal tea that reduces heat. He plans to brew it and distribute it among the brothers." He smiled at Lu Tong, "We thought since we’re all acquaintances, why not support Doctor Lu’s business."

Lu Tong nodded, "Thank you." Then she said to the two men, "Please wait a moment."

She sat down at the table, took paper and pen to write a prescription. Pei Yunmeng stood in front of the medicine cabinet, his gaze briefly flicking over her flourish-filled calligraphy, and he lightly arched an eyebrow.

Lu Tong did not notice; she finished writing and handed the prescription to Ah Cheng, who went to prepare the medicine. Yin Zheng glanced at the two men and smiled, "The two of you, please sit here for a while, this servant will brew..."

Before she could finish saying "tea," the two bamboo tubes filled with sweet syrup were already placed on the small table.

Pei Yunmeng looked up; Lu Tong withdrew her hands with a smile, "This is freshly bought syrup; Lord Pei and Master Duan can give it a try."

They clearly were not going to be offered tea.

Drinking a cup of sweet syrup was a fleeting moment’s work, while preparing and drinking tea would take quite a while. Though Lu Tong didn’t express it openly, her intention to see them off could not have been more transparent.

Pei Yunmeng’s gaze swept past Lu Tong’s face. After a while, he shook his head and amiably took a sip from the bamboo tube of syrup.

The next moment, the smile on the young man’s face stiffened.

Next to him, Duan Xiaoyan had already spouted out, "Ptui, ptui, ptui, this is way too sweet! Doctor Lu, what did you buy?!"

"Ginger Honey Drink," Lu Tong replied. "Is it very sweet? I think it’s just right. The herbs in the clinic are all bitter; the Ginger Honey Drink in Master Duan’s hands is sweeter than any medicine."

Her expression remained calm and her tone showed no hint of mockery. It was unclear whether she was deliberately teasing or not.

Pei Yunmeng set down the bamboo tube and sighed, "There’s reason in that."

Lu Tong glanced at him.

There were no signs of anger on his face; he remained polite and amiable. It was hard to tell if it was a testament to his good upbringing or his cunning.

While Ah Cheng was still preparing the medicine, Duan Xiaoyan held a fist to his mouth and coughed softly, then made small talk, "Doctor Lu, I saw you at the entrance of Fan Mansion last time. I wanted to talk to you more, but I was caught up in official duties... How have you been these days? No one’s been troubling you, have they?"

Lu Tong took a seat at the table, "No, thanks to Master Duan’s concern."

Duan Xiaoyan coughed again, "Speaking of which, I lost my purse at Fan Mansion last time..." As he spoke, he looked at Lu Tong with a probing gaze.

Lu Tong watched him quietly.

Duan Xiaoyan stuttered slightly, "Have, have you seen my purse?"

The room was silent for a moment.

Grey clouds obscured the sky, and the branches and leaves of the plum tree by the door rustled in the wind.

After a long pause, Lu Tong spoke calmly, "Is Master Duan suggesting that I stole your purse?"

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read