Denghuaxiao

Chapter 221 Decision
The night is dark.

In the Grand Tutor's Mansion, when Qi Huaying woke up, she heard Qiangwei beside her telling the maid that Pei Yunying had come to the mansion.

Pei Yunying?
Qi Huaying was stunned.

My brother’s body is still warm, what is he doing here?
Qi Huaying threw off the quilt, got out of bed and went to the hall.

In the hall, Qi Yutai's coffin was placed in the center. All the lanterns in the mansion were changed to white overnight. When the night wind blew, it was eerie and chilling.

Qi Qing sat in the seat, his withered body wrapped in a black gauze robe, his expression dead, looking more like a corpse than the person in the coffin.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the silence, and was particularly clear in the night.

He raised his eyelids, and his cloudy old eyes fixed on the person in front of him. After a long time, it seemed that he could finally see the person clearly.

"Marshal Pei." he said.

Pei Yunying stood still, his eyes swept across the coffin in the hall, and finally said calmly: "Master Qi, please accept my condolences."

The Grand Tutor nodded, his expression not sad or grief-stricken. He was silent for a long time before speaking calmly. "Just now, the servants said that Doctor Lu came to the mansion and was taken away by you."

"You want to save her?"

Pei Yunying's eyes turned cold: "You want to kill her?"

The guards at the door were alert for a moment, their fingers grasping the scabbards.

Qi Qing raised his hand to stop the guards' actions, then started coughing softly. After coughing a few times, he put down the handkerchief from his lips and sighed deeply.

"I'm just such a son."

He said, "He has been pampered since he was young and has never suffered any injustice. I had hoped that he would bring honor to our family, but I didn't expect him to have mediocre talent and a short life."

Qi Qing looked at Pei Yunying.

The young man in front of him was dressed in black-scaled brocade clothes, with an extraordinary heroic look, like a cold knife in the soft red of Shengjing City, sharp and able to kill with one blow.

It’s a pity that he is not his own son.

"Your father is luckier than me," he shook his head as if sighing, "With such an outstanding son like you, the Pei family will have a bright future."

Pei Yunying said calmly: "Your Excellency, there is no need to tie me and the Zhaoning Palace together."

"So, you're going to abandon the Pei family for a female doctor?"

Pei Yunying sneered.

He said contemptuously: "How can I betray someone who has never walked with me?"

Qi Qing didn't say anything, but stared at him carefully. His old eyes, which had been filled with shadows, suddenly became extremely sharp. He suddenly asked, "Did you already know why your mother died?"

Many years have passed since the wife of Duke Zhaoning was shot and killed by the rebel army.

It is a well-known fact that Pei Yunying and Pei Di had a rift since then.

The people who knew the inside story of that year are no longer alive. On the surface, Duke Zhaoning sacrificed his wife to quell the rebellion, but it was just a choice between morality and personal feelings. It was natural for Pei Yunying to separate from him and his son.

However, Qi Qing trusts his intuition more.

However, over the years, he had not found any clues to prove that Pei Yunying had ulterior motives. At the royal banquet, Pei Yunying protected him with his body, and he also gained the trust of the royal family. Even if this trust was not 100%, the status of the Palace Front Office in the court could not be easily shaken.

Over the years, Qi Qing had advised Emperor Ming of Liang to beware of Prince Ning. However, Prince Ning was too good at disguising himself. After Emperor Ming of Liang ascended the throne, several of the previous emperor's sons got into trouble one after another. Emperor Ming of Liang was also afraid of people's gossip, so he let the tiger go back to the mountain, allowing the seemingly weak and incompetent Prince Ning to survive.

If you cut the grass before you get rid of the root, you will lose the opportunity. Moreover, he is getting older and weaker day by day, and the emperor is gradually dissatisfied with being controlled by him. Now even the position of crown prince, Emperor Liang Ming has his own selfish desires. To suppress the crown prince is to suppress the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

Due to internal and external troubles and alienation between the emperor and his subjects, the Qi family is no longer a united front.

Just at this time, something happened to Yutai.

"Are you here to warn me on behalf of the Third Prince?" he asked.

"No."

Pei Yunying said coldly: "I am here to tell you, sir, not to touch her, on my own behalf."

He didn't say the name, but it was self-evident between the two of them who this "she" was.

Qi Qing's face darkened.

He sneered: "Before Yutai got into trouble, she was the only one he had close contact with. She must have had something to do with it."

"Even if it has nothing to do with her, this woman must not be allowed to stay."

The old man spoke slowly: "If I want her to die, what can you do to me?"

Hearing this, Pei Yunying laughed instead.

"Master Grand Master is old. How can I attack an elder?"

He raised his eyes, his eyes were piercingly cold, and he curled his lips sarcastically: "The Qi family just lost their son, but they still have a daughter."

Qi Qing's eyes suddenly turned cold and stern: "You dare!"

Pei Yunying smiled and took two steps back, his fingertips brushing across the long sword at his waist.

"Five years ago at the Royal Banquet, the Grand Master saw me killing someone. My Lord, why don't you give it a try and see which is faster, your men or my sword."

"If you touch her, I will kill you...the person I love most."

His eyebrows were gentle and his smile was brilliant, but his eyes were like cold swords, full of murderous intent.

He wasn't kidding.

Qi Huaying's face suddenly turned pale when he walked to the door.

When she had fantasies about Pei Yunying, she had looked forward to his visit many times. She never expected that the first time she saw him at home would be like this.

So cold, sharp, and tense.

She felt sorry for herself.

Pei Yunying glanced at her indifferently, and that look made her tremble with fear.

Until the other person left, Qi Huaying had not recovered from the fear in that glance.

A violent coughing sound came from the hall. Qi Huaying suddenly woke up and ran into the house quickly. Qi Qing was holding a silk handkerchief and coughing violently. Qi Huaying's tears suddenly welled up: "Dad!"

Qi Qing looked at her and closed his eyes.

He has only one son and one daughter.

My son is now lying in the coffin.

His daughter has been outstanding since she was young, and everyone in Shengjing praised her for her elegance and propriety. However, this propriety is not worth mentioning before the downpour. If he dies in the future, who can protect Qi Huaying?

After all, there is no way out.

……

The sky is as dark as ink and the night is long.

In the Eastern Palace, Crown Prince Yuanzhen had not yet gone to bed. He was pacing back and forth in the room in his inner robe.

The Crown Princess handed over a bowl of hot soup, but Yuanzhen brushed it away with a look of annoyance.

He has been under house arrest in his mansion for more than a month.

Emperor Ming of Liang was determined to punish him and strictly prohibited him from leaving the palace. He could not attend the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, and he was not seen at the sacrificial ceremonies. All the ministers had seen Emperor Ming of Liang's plan to change the crown prince, and Yuan Zhen was very anxious.

Yuan Zhen knew that his father had always disliked him. Emperor Liang Ming preferred Yuan Yao, the son of Concubine Chen, to himself.

The growing power of Duke Chen's faction may not have been without the tacit approval of Emperor Ming of Liang.

My father wants to depose the crown prince.

Yuan Zhen himself was also very confused. He didn't know when Yuan Yao had reached an equal position with himself. Even though his father doted on him, he was the eldest son. Why did Yuan Yao have the upper hand?
He gradually began to lose his temper, and it was Grand Tutor Qi Qing who kept comforting him and told him not to be anxious. However, news came back last night that Qi Yutai had died.

Qi Qing's son Qi Yutai died.

The Grand Tutor's Mansion has only one son, and Qi Qing supported me in order to make plans for his son in the future. However, now that there is no one left to inherit the Qi family business, no one can tell whether Qi Qing will no longer stand on my side.

People's hearts are unpredictable.

He suddenly stood up and called his confidant in.

"You, go to the Grand Tutor's Mansion and give Qi Qing a message," he said.

The confidant was shocked: "Your Highness, those people are keeping a close eye on the East Palace now..."

Emperor Ming of Liang was suspicious of him, and there were spies everywhere in the palace. It was very risky to go to the Grand Tutor's Mansion to deliver a message at this time.

Yuanzhen said angrily: "Go when I tell you to!"

There is no time.

He had a hunch that Qi Yutai's death seemed to be the beginning of something, and Yuan Yao would not miss this opportunity. If he could not change the situation as soon as possible, he might never have another chance in the future.

He grabbed his confidant by the collar and spoke quickly.

"Tell him that his son is dead, but he still has other members of the Qi family. If Yuan Yao ascends to the throne, he can't escape even if I die, and he can't even save his beloved daughter!" "Tell him to think clearly, whether to live or die together!"

The prince stared with his eyes wide open. The long period of house arrest made him less calm than before, and even his previous arrogance disappeared a little. He was like a madman who was desperate and tried all kinds of treatment.

The confidant swallowed his shock and replied, "Yes..."

……

After a night, everyone was sleepless.

Lu Tong stayed in the palace commander's mansion that night.

Qingfeng and Chijian indeed guarded her diligently and did not let her step out of the palace commander's mansion.

Pei Yunying also sent someone to pass a message to Yin Zheng and Lin Danqing, saying that Xiao Zhufeng had a sudden serious illness, and Lu Tong stayed in the palace to treat Xiao Zhufeng and would go back in a few days.

Since it was related to the Palace Marshal's Mansion, the Medical Officers' Office would naturally not say anything. Yin Zheng came to deliver a medical box at night, and seeing that Lu Tong was fine, she dispelled her last doubts. She only regretted that the lychee and kidney stewed duck she had bought had gone cold, so she had to eat all of it in Du Changqing's stomach. She muttered a few words and went back to West Street first.

Lu Tong didn't tell her these things.

If one more person knows, it will only add to your troubles.

The guards of the Palace Marshal's Mansion were very enthusiastic about Lu Tong. Although they did not ask her why she was staying there, they were afraid that she was bored and annoyed, so they all vied with Lu Tong to chat with her to relieve her boredom.

Lu Tong tried to find out some news about the Grand Tutor's Mansion from these people, but he didn't know whether these guards were too tight-lipped or they really had never heard any news. After a whole morning, he got nothing.

In the afternoon, someone came to the Palace Marshal's Mansion.

The visitor is Chang Jin.

Qingfeng let Chang Jin into the palace commander's mansion. As soon as he entered the door, Chang Jin pulled Lu Tong aside to talk.

"I looked for you last night, and Danqing said you went back to West Street and returned early this morning. This morning, he also said that Deputy Envoy Xiao was seriously ill and you were in the Palace Marshal's Mansion." At this point, Chang Jin looked around and asked suspiciously, "Why can't I see Deputy Envoy Xiao?"

"He's recovered and has gone home to rest." Lu Tong said calmly, "What does the doctor want me to do?"

Often in a hurry, as if on important business.

Chang Jin took a look outside and asked Lu Tong to come in and talk. This was where Pei Yunying and Xiao Zhufeng handled official documents. There was no one there at the moment, so Chang Jin pushed Lu Tong in and left the door ajar.

Lu Tong looked at his movements, somewhat puzzled.

Chang Jin took out a booklet from his arms and handed it to Lu Tong.

Lu Tong looked over and was stunned.

"Is this... the list of medical officers going to southern Jiangsu to fight the plague?"

Chang Jin sighed.

"After the locust plague in southern Jiangsu, a major epidemic gradually broke out. The palace arranged for medical officers to go to southern Jiangsu to treat the epidemic. Originally, I didn't want to invite you."

"Most of the doctors who treat epidemics are veteran doctors. You are young and have no experience in treating epidemics. I didn't tell you about this when I was treating the son of the Qi family. I thought it would be a good idea for you to stay in the Medical Officers' Court."

"However, Young Master Qi is in trouble now."

Chang Jin looked at her worriedly.

"You and the young master of the Qi family had an old grudge. Now the young master died miserably. You treated him before. Although his death had nothing to do with you, the Grand Tutor's Mansion may be angry. After thinking about it, it would be dangerous for you to stay in Shengjing. It would be better for you to go to southern Jiangsu together and avoid the trouble for the time being. After this matter is over and the dust has settled, it will not be too late to return to Beijing."

Lu Chen was stunned.

She didn't expect Chang Jin to have such plans for her.

Seeing that she was silent, Chang Jin misunderstood her meaning and thought that she didn't believe him, so he explained: "Doctor Lu, you used to be a doctor among the common people, so there are some things you don't understand. Common doctors don't have any background in the imperial city, and sometimes when patients get into trouble, they are inevitably used as punching bags."

"It's not like this hasn't happened before."

He sighed, "I am not exaggerating. I just can't bear to see you sacrifice yourself for these irrelevant things. The team going to Southern Jiangsu will set off the day after tomorrow. If you have no objection, I will add your name to the list. This way, we can avoid trouble."

He leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Young man, removing the firewood from under the cauldron and temporarily avoiding the sharp edge may not be a bad idea."

Lu Tong clenched the list in his hand and looked up.

"Doctor, aren't you afraid of getting into trouble by helping me like this?"

Chang Jin was a good man. Ever since Cui Min was imprisoned, Chang Jin had been in charge of all the affairs of the court. When Qi Qing asked about it, he immediately knew it was Chang Jin's idea to add his name to the list.

Why should I offend the Grand Tutor's Mansion for my own sake?

Chang Jin smiled embarrassedly when he heard this.

"Doctor Lu, I've actually been to West Street once."

Lu Chen was slightly startled.

He said, "After the incident with Cui Yuanshi, I went to inquire about it. Later I found out that the chief doctor of Renxin Clinic was actually Vice Yuanshi Miao."

"When I first entered the Medical Officers' Institute, I knew nothing and often failed the clerk examinations. It was Deputy Dean Miao who lent me his medical books and notes to help me review. All the old guys in the Medical Officers' Institute were favored by Deputy Dean Miao."

He laughed, "When I went to West Street, you were at the Grand Tutor's House, not at the clinic. Deputy Director Miao told me that you were his benefactor and student, and asked me to take good care of you in the Medical Officers' House and not to be too strict with you. He also repeatedly told me not to tell anyone that I had seen him."

"No wonder you are such a good doctor, because you have a good teacher." Chang Jin sighed, "The deputy director asked me to take care of you, but your medical skills are far better than mine. I have nothing to teach you, and my status is not prominent. Now that the Qi family is in trouble, if I can't help, wouldn't I be unworthy of the deputy director's entrustment?"

Lu Yan was silent.

She didn't know that Chang Jin had looked for Miao Liangfang, and she didn't know that there was such a relationship between the two of them.

"Doctor Lu," Chang Jin said solemnly, "I can only do my best to help you. The Qi family in Shengjing is powerful, and you are in danger. However, the epidemic in southern Jiangsu is serious, and doctors are not infallible. Everyone has their own difficulties. It's up to you to decide."

"There is no time to lose. I cannot stay here any longer. I have to go back to the Medical Officers' Office." He said, "Think about it carefully. When you have made up your mind, tell me before tomorrow afternoon."

He gave Lu Tong a few more instructions before leaving in a hurry. After he left, two people came out from under the sycamore tree at the entrance of the Palace Marshal's Mansion.

Xiao Zhufeng glanced at Chang Jin's receding back and said, "Your Doctor Lu is lucky."

The situation was now very unfavorable to her, but at this moment Chang Jin stepped out to help her, and the situation turned around.

Pei Yunying was speechless.

Xiao Zhufeng tilted his head: "Reluctant?" He reminded: "This is her best chance."

"You and I will be very busy from now on. Shengjing is in turmoil, and if she stays here, it will only cause trouble. Even if you protect her, aren't you afraid that she will rush to the Grand Tutor's Mansion and kill people in a fit of rage?"

Pei Yunying pressed his eyebrows.

Lu Tong is not afraid of death at all.

After her revenge, she only wanted to die with Qi Qing to save everyone behind her. Her determination to die was so strong and her attitude was so resolute that he could not find any way to stop her. Even if she was imprisoned in the Palace Marshal's Mansion now, it would only last for a while, not forever.

He used to think that nothing in the world was insurmountable, but now he was helpless against her, just like the most difficult piece of wood in the wooden tower of his study. No matter what, he was completely defeated in front of her.

After a long while, he said, "I'm just worried."

It is difficult to get a clear picture of the epidemic situation in southern Jiangsu based on just a few short sentences in the document.

"Her medical skills are among the best in the Medical Officers' Institute, and she is better at killing than anyone else. Ten men are no match for her. What are you worrying about?"

Xiao Zhufeng was surprised, "Instead of worrying about her, you might as well worry more about yourself. Maybe when she comes back from Sunan, she will be able to collect your body and even avenge you, so you can live a few more years."

Hearing this, Pei Yunying smiled and said calmly: "Forget it. If I die, seeing her running around for me and working so hard, I'm afraid she won't be at peace in her grave."

Xiao Zhufeng was speechless.

The two of them were silent for a while, and Xiao Zhufeng spoke up: "However, she may not go to southern Jiangsu. She herself left the Lu family when the epidemic hit Changwu County, and going to southern Jiangsu would inevitably be saddened by the scene."

People don't want to face painful memories.

Pei Yunying's eyes moved slightly.

He actually didn't know what Lu Tong would choose.

He hoped that she would stay in Shengjing so that he could watch over her and protect her, but he was also afraid that if she stayed in Shengjing, this stubborn person would once again fall into the abyss without looking back.

dilemma.

Just as they were thinking about it, they heard footsteps behind them. They turned around and saw Lu Tong walking out.

She saw two people under the tree in the yard at a glance and walked towards Pei Yunying.

Xiao Zhufeng turned his back silently and left quickly.

Lu Tong stood in front of Pei Yunying.

The ground under the paulownia tree was covered with fallen yellow leaves, and under the empty branches, two people stood facing each other.

The wind blew, and a fallen leaf landed in her hair. He raised his hand and gently brushed it away for her.

Lu Tong's eyes moved slightly, and he looked up at him.

"Palace Marshal, you don't have to keep me detained all the time," she said, "The guards in the palace are also very tired."

Pei Yunying lowered his eyebrows and looked at Lu Tong. He saw her stretch out her hand and hold up a blue-covered document in front of him.

"I'm going to southern Jiangsu," she said.

(End of this chapter)