Lamp Flower Smile

Time passed quickly.

It was August, and the rain continued. In a blink of an eye, it was the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The palace commander's mansion was very busy.

The festival was just around the corner. The various squads and commanders of the infantry and cavalry were busy training every day, waiting for the festival ten days later. Even on the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15, the palace commanders doubled their manpower to guard the inner gates.

The palace guards were more strict than before. Some court officials speculated that this was related to the rebellion of the traitor in the palace of Concubine Chen.

In addition, the crown prince Yuanzhen claimed to be ill and did not appear in the court for several days, and rumors began to spread.

In the palace commander's mansion, it happened to rain, and the martial arts field was wet, so the guards rested today.

The sycamore trees in the courtyard were knocked to the ground by the rain. Duan Xiaoyan hurried in with a bamboo basket on his back. Once he entered the house, he shook off the rain on his body, put down his umbrella, and lifted the oilcloth covering the bamboo basket.

With a "whoosh", all the resting guards gathered around.

The bamboo basket was full of triangular red talismans, mixed with some peach blossom branches and beads made of cloth. Duan Xiaoyan wiped his sweat and said with his hands on his waist: "Queue up, come one by one." He raised his hand to knock off the claws of a guard and said unhappily: "They are all the same, why are you picking!"

The peach blossom talisman beads that He Xiazi asked the fox fairy to consecrate personally on West Street were cheaper the more they bought. Duan Xiaoyan volunteered to buy them for the people in front of the palace, and finally agreed on a price that both parties were satisfied with.

The noisy voices drifted into the house along with the sound of rain. Pei Yunying glanced outside the door and frowned slightly.

"It's getting more and more unruly." He said coldly: "You don't care."

Xiao Zhufeng sat at the table, holding a cup of hot tea, and said: "Why should I care? You bought one yourself."

He glanced at Pei Yunying's desk.

Under the thick pile of military documents, a corner of red was faintly revealed.

Pei Yunying sneered: "Didn't you buy one too?"

Xiao Zhufeng: "..."

He silently pushed the wooden drawer inward.

Both of them were silent for a while.

"She hasn't come to the Palace Marshal's Mansion for half a month." Xiao Zhufeng lowered his head and took a sip of tea, "Did you two quarrel?"

"No."

"Then you have no chance."

Pei Yunying was unhappy: "You are sick."

Since the last rainy day, he and Lu Tong haven't seen each other for half a month.

The palace was busy with affairs. Emperor Liang Ming seemed determined to punish the crown prince this time. The court officials knew that the crown prince's party and the Duke of Chen's party were at loggerheads. The emperor had sent troops to leave Beijing for Qishui a few days ago. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Emperor Liang Ming often summoned him to talk at night.

It was very late when he left the palace. Sometimes he wanted to go to West Street, but he was afraid that it was late at night and would delay the other party's rest. Hearing the report from the spy of the Grand Tutor's Mansion that Lu Tong was fine these days and Qi Yutai was still well behaved, he did not go to meet her for the time being.

After several days of late nights, the matter at hand finally came to an end, squeezing out two days.

"I'm worried about you," Xiao Zhufeng stood up and walked to the window, watching the rain falling under the eaves, "After all, there is an ex-fiancé Ji Xun."

"That's just your conjecture."

"He is a gentleman with a noble character."

Pei Yunying sneered: "So what if he is a gentleman? In her eyes, he is no different from a dead pig buried under a tree."

Xiao Zhufeng said: "Are you confident?"

"Of course. I'm different from you. You like to bless silently, but for me, liking is possession."

The young man's smile faded, "Don't say that she and Ji Xun have nothing. Even if there is something, if she really likes Ji Xun, I just ... "Xiao Zhuofeng:" What are you? "" ... I broke them away. "Xiao Zhuofeng was speechless, and said:" So you deliberately cut your birthday without going home, you want to meet with her? " "Pei Yunying's eyes moved slightly, and said lightly:" She revenge in one heart, has no time to distinguish it, and it is better. "Xiao Zhuofeng looked at him for a while, set aside the tea cup in his hand, and scored. "I glanced at the silver zither behind Lu Yan again, and looked stiff, and quickly bowed her head to dial the plan to avoid the eyes of the other party. After being depressed for more than ten days, the injured Du Changqing returned to the clinic. He seemed to be calm and still cursed people every day, but he would always reveal a trace of resentment at some point.

It seemed that he was really sad.

In contrast, Yin Zheng was much more calm and generous.

Yin Zheng sent Lu Tong out the door and saw that Lu Tong wore the hibiscus hairpin as usual. She said "Huh" and asked curiously: "Why haven't you seen the comb these days?"

Although the wooden comb is not gorgeous, it also adds to the beauty of Lu Tong's hair. However, it seems that it has been missing for some time, and it is not seen in Lu Tong's dressing table.

Lu Tong said: "It's broken and lost."

"Ah?" Yin Zheng lamented, "What a pity, it's so beautiful."

Lu Tong seemed not to hear her words, lowered his head and got on the carriage waiting at the door, "I'm leaving."

...

When Lu Tong arrived at the Grand Tutor's Mansion, Qi Yutai was talking about the Tianzhangtai Festival with the people sent by Qi Qing.

The palace ceremony was attended by hundreds of officials and guards. The rumors about Qi Yutai's epilepsy were rampant a few days ago. This time, he needed to appear in front of everyone and dispel the rumors.

The Grand Tutor's Mansion attaches great importance to this.

The housekeeper was explaining the ceremonial costumes and procedures of the ceremony to Qi Yutai. Qi Yutai impatiently slapped the letter in the other's hand away: "It's not the first time, what's there to prepare."

The housekeeper wanted to persuade him a few more times, but when he looked up, he saw Lu Tong walking to the door with the maid, so he stepped back and saluted Lu Tong: "Doctor Lu."

Lu Tong nodded, put the medical box on the table, and motioned Qi Yutai to sit down and take his pulse.

After the pulse check, the old housekeeper asked: "Doctor Lu, how is the young master doing recently?"

"The pulse is stable, and there is no sign of discomfort."

The old housekeeper was relieved.

"Okay, okay, you can go out quickly." Qi Yutai said impatiently, "I will read the letter."

The old housekeeper glanced at Lu Tong again and retreated gently.

As soon as the housekeeper left, Qi Yutai couldn't wait to reach out to Lu Tong.

Lu Tong paused: "Let's give you acupuncture first, Mr. Qi."

The golden needle pierced into the flesh, itching and painful, but the itch in the heart was completely relieved. Qi Yutai covered his nose with his sleeves, and the nostrils hidden in the wide sleeves twitched. He poured a pot of hot tea into his throat and sighed comfortably.

It was so refreshing.

It was so refreshing.

Giving acupuncture every day was the moment he looked forward to the most.

The medicine powder made by Lu Tong to replace Hanshi Powder greatly satisfied his drug addiction, so that he would not go crazy in the mansion. He was obsessed with this thing and could not extricate himself. It became the only comfort in the Taishi Mansion now.

Moreover, this medicine powder was not as strong as Hanshi Powder, so it would not cause impulsiveness after taking it. Therefore, after half a month, no one noticed anything wrong, even the medical officer invited by the Taishi Mansion.

This is also the only drawback.

The weak medicinal power means that it is not addictive enough, as if scratching an itch, or it stops abruptly at every critical point, leaving people wanting more.

Qi Yutai licked the oil paper wrapped around the medicine powder, licked the last bit of powder clean, and said dissatisfiedly: "Lu Tong, can't you give me more medicine powder? Just a little bit each time, do you think I'm a beggar?"

Lu Tong put away the golden needle: "Mr. Qi, this medicine powder is poisonous if taken in excess. This is the best dose for your body now."

Qi Yutai sneered: "Are you doing this on purpose?"

Lu Tong came to give him acupuncture every day, but she didn't bring him medicine powder every day.

Sometimes she felt that the guards and maids in the house were watching him closely, or she felt that his pulse had changed, so there was no medicine powder that day.

She was very cautious, so no one noticed for such a long time.

But Qi Yutai was aroused and was always worried.

"The grand ceremony will be held soon." Lu Tong said, "The Grand Master said that no accidents should happen before the ceremony."

"So you want to use this to control me?"

Qi Yutai looked her up and down and smiled frivolously.

"Don't worry, as long as you make the medicine powder well, I can guarantee that you will become my concubine after the ceremony."

"You just need to please me."

Lu Tong seemed not to hear his insulting tone, calmly packed up the medical box, and said, "I will take my leave first."

Qi Yutai curled his lips in boredom and saw the other party's slender back holding an umbrella and disappearing in the rain.

She was very cold.

But for no reason, she made people want to conquer her.

In the past, Qi Yutai only wanted to kill her to capture the tiger and avenge his sister, but now he has a better idea.

He wanted to crush the other's pride, to see her surrender under him with cold eyes. The female medical officer with excellent Chinese medicine skills in the Medical Officer's Court ended up begging for mercy in his backyard, which was more exciting than surrendering a vicious dog like a tiger.

He touched his chest, and the lingering fragrance of the medicine powder made his heart excited.

Who said she was an ordinary person?

Fortunately, she was an ordinary person.

…

Lu Tong left the Taishi Mansion and turned the corner into the alley at the end of the long street of the Taishi Mansion. On weekdays, if there was nothing else, the carriage hired by Du Changqing would wait for her here.

The rain continued, and the carriage waited quietly under the eaves.

Lu Tong approached with an umbrella, and when he saw the person on the horse in front clearly, he paused.

Qingfeng was sitting in the driver's seat wearing a bamboo hat. When he saw her coming, he lifted the bamboo hat and said, "Medical Officer Lu."

Lu Tong looked behind the carriage.

As if knowing what she was thinking, Qingfeng hurriedly said, "The master is not in the car. He will go to the palace at noon. Let me pick you up first."

Seeing that Lu Tong was indifferent, he reminded her, "Today is the master's birthday."

August 19th, Pei Yunying's birthday.

He had mentioned it when he came to the clinic last night, and later he had asked her for birthday gifts many times, openly or secretly.

Lu Tong asked, "So, what do you want to ask me for?"

Her eyes were too calm, Qingfeng was stunned for a moment before answering: "My Lord, please invite Doctor Lu to meet up, and wait for Doctor Lu at Danfeng Terrace." He added, "My Lord should have mentioned this to Doctor Lu before."

Lu Tong held the umbrella tightly, and the rain dripped down the umbrella into lines. She spoke calmly, "I am very busy today and have to make medicine."

"This..."

Qingfeng thought for a while: "I will send Doctor Lu back to the clinic first, and then send Doctor Lu to Danfeng Terrace after Doctor Lu is done."

Lu Tong wanted to refuse, but changed his mind when the words came to his lips. He didn't say anything and bent down to get on the carriage.

The carriage rushed all the way back to West Street and stopped at the gate of West Street. Lu Tong got off the carriage and went back to the clinic.

Du Changqing and Acheng went back to the mansion first. It rained for most of the day, and there was no patient in the clinic. Miao Liangfang also left at dusk.

Yin Zheng closed the door of the clinic and lifted the felt curtain. The window of the courtyard was faintly illuminated by an orange halo. She entered the room and saw Lu Tong sitting at the table pounding medicine seriously.

"Miss," Yin Zheng asked, "I just saw a carriage at the door of the clinic. The driver looked like Qingfeng Guard... Is he here to talk to you about something?"

"Nothing important." Lu Tong pounded the medicine seriously, "Don't worry about him."

Yin Zheng said "Oh", glanced at her, and then spoke softly, "The last time Master Pei came to the clinic, he said his birthday was August 19th. Today is August 19th. Is he here to celebrate your birthday?"

"No."

Yin Zheng stood still and said to herself, "Actually, Master Pei is very good. Although he is a nobleman, he doesn't look down on ordinary people." She looked out the window, "It's dark and it's raining so hard. It's lonely to celebrate my birthday alone."

Lu Tong paused in pounding the medicine, and lowered her eyes after a moment, "I don't want to go."

Yin Zheng sighed.

"Young lady, don't make it hard on yourself." She didn't persuade him any more, just said, "It's cold, go to bed early."

Yin Zheng left the house, and Lu Tong still lowered her head, as if she didn't see it, and poured the herbs in the jar carefully, as if the only thing in front of her was the most important thing between heaven and earth.

Time passed slowly, and the night gradually deepened. The neighbors on West Street went home, and there was no more human voices on the long street. There was only a sudden storm outside the window, and the cold air was biting.

After an unknown amount of time, Lu Tong put down the medicine hammer in her hand and looked up at the clepsydra on the table.

It's almost midnight.

...

"It's almost midnight."

In the palace commander's mansion, Xiao Zhufeng stood in front of the window, staring at the night rain outside the window.

The night rain was falling, and the drops fell under the leaves of the sycamore, and the autumn was cold.

Duan Xiaoyan shuddered, waking up from the beautiful dream just now, looking at the clepsydra on the table, and then looking out the window.

"Brother Yunying hasn't come back yet?"

Xiao Zhufeng shook his head.

He had promised to come back after his birthday to clean up the newly added military roster. It was almost midnight, and his birthday was almost over, but he hadn't seen anyone.

Duan Xiaoyan rested his chin on his hand: "Are you getting along too well and can't bear to come back?"

"Wake up," Xiao Zhufeng said: "The dream is over."

Duan Xiaoyan was speechless.

In fact, Pei Yunying had been waiting at noon, but when Lu Tong went to the Grand Tutor's Mansion, something happened in the palace, so he went back to the palace again.

When Lu Tong returned to West Street, it was already evening. Qingfeng asked someone to pass on a message that Lu Tong seemed very busy and went back to make medicine first.

"Ah," Duan Xiaoyan sighed, "Doctor Lu is really something. He can make medicine anytime, but he has to make medicine on Brother Yunying's birthday. It's raining so hard, waiting is hard. My brother is not still waiting now, is he?"

Xiao Zhufeng said calmly: "No."

"Really?"

Xiao Zhufeng looked at the autumn rain outside the window for a long time before speaking.

"Pei Yunying is very picky and proud."

Xiao Zhufeng said: "He looks sympathetic, but he has no patience for people. He won't take the initiative, and he won't wait for people."

"If he makes an appointment with someone at Chen time, he will leave before Si time."

Duan Xiaoyan was stunned.

Xiao Zhufeng closed the window, blocking all the cold air outside the house.

"He is not a person who waits patiently."

...

The rain is getting heavier.

There is a "rustling" sound between heaven and earth.

When the wheels of the carriage rolled over the wetland, splashing water was brought out.

The wheels rolled over the path and stopped in front of a teahouse. After a long time, the carriage curtain was lifted and Lu Tong got off the carriage holding an oil-paper umbrella.

Danfengtai is close to the mountains. In autumn, the mountains are red like fire. Now it is not yet time for the maple leaves to turn red, and it is raining. From a distance, the mountains are dark and silent like a splash of ink.

The lights in the teahouse have gone out.

Lu Tong lowered his eyes.

Qingfeng stayed in front of Renxin Medical Clinic for a long time. Lu Tong asked Yin Zheng to tell him that she was very busy tonight and would not go to Danfengtai.

Yin Zheng went out several times. The last time was around the time of Si, and told her: "Miss, the carriage has left."

Qingfeng left and never appeared again.

This is good.

Pei Yunying should have returned from Danfengtai as well.

He should have celebrated his birthday, with Pei Yunshu, Baozhu, Xiao Zhufeng, Duan Xiaoyan, and all his relatives and friends. He might have a lover in the future, but it shouldn't be her.

He shouldn't wait for her.

It was pitch black in front of the Danfeng Terrace, with only a few dim lanterns hanging under the eaves. She heard Du Changqing say that every clear night, the trees here were full of lanterns, bright and dazzling. Today, the weather was not good, and it was late at night. All the lanterns were extinguished, and the owner of the teahouse had closed the door.

Lu Tong's heart was calm.

She walked to the door of the teahouse and was suddenly startled.

The drizzle continued, and almost all the lights in the teahouse were turned off, but there was a window with a light on. The wooden window was open, and a person was standing by the window, listening to the rain quietly.

Hearing the movement, he raised his eyes.

Lu Tong suddenly froze.

A cool autumn night, the sound of the remaining lights and rain. Lu Tong stood outside the window, with drizzle pouring down on the umbrella. He stood inside the window, his eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, like smoke and dreams, which reminded people of an old poem.

The banana tree outside the window and the person inside the window, clearly dripping on the leaves and the heart.

She was stunned, but the other person smiled gently.

Pei Yunying looked at her, his scarlet robe was bright and dazzling. In the rainy night, the warm light fell on him, and his beauty was even more gorgeous than Qiongying.

His dark eyes stared at her, and the smile on his lips was bright.

"I thought you wouldn't come." He said.