News of Lu Tong’s impending marriage reached West Street, and the entire Benevolent Heart Medical Hall was taken by surprise.
It was as if Du Changqing had become the firecrackers hanging from the plum trees during the New Year, ready to explode, hopping up and down in the medical hall, "Getting married? What nonsensical talk is this?"
Even Miao Liangfang, who usually believed in harmony brings wealth, was somewhat disapproving: "Xiao Lu, this sudden talk of marriage, isn’t it a bit too hasty?"
When Lu Tong first arrived at the medical hall, she carried herself as if she had renounced all worldly love, more detached than the abbesses in the nunnery near Wan’en Temple. Many vigorous young men of West Street would visit the medical hall in broad daylight just to catch a glimpse of her beauty, but Lu Tong never showed interest in anyone. Yet, unexpectedly, she was now caught in Pei Yunmeng’s orbit; they held hands and were set to marry so quickly that it left people breathless—it seemed almost like she was possessed!
"You’re not... Are you?" Du Changqing gave her a suspicious look, his gaze falling on Lu Tong’s abdomen.
Some hot-blooded young men from West Street hurried to the altar early, causing scandals that led to hasty marriages; this was not unprecedented in the medical hall.
Yin Zheng pushed Du Changqing away: "Boss, don’t speak nonsense!"
"It must be a threat!" Du Changqing was adamant, "It’s definitely a threat! That Pei Yunmeng is taking advantage of his power to snatch a commoner’s daughter by force, tell me, did he threaten you in secret? I’ve always said that the men in Shengjing are all the same, none of these pretty boys are up to any good!"
Lu Tong was speechless for a moment: "It’s my own volition."
Heartbroken, Du Changqing exclaimed: "What kind of love potion has he given you?"
Lu Tong: "..."
She said: "Actually, getting married isn’t a big deal. I’ve calculated it, and it won’t be much different from the life I lead now. Since that’s the case, it might be worth a try."
She spoke so nonchalantly that Du Changqing almost had a breakdown, blurting out: "Short-sighted! Foolish! Marriage is not something you can just ’give a try.’ You’re still young and haven’t met many good men. You’re a bud that hasn’t fully bloomed, yet you’re willing to hang yourself from a single tree. Tell me, what will you do if you meet someone you like more in the future and your heart changes?"
Lu Tong: "Then I’ll get a divorce."
"Is divorce that simple?"
"Didn’t Princess Wen get a divorce in the past?"
Caught off guard, Du Changqing countered: "What if he falls out of love?"
"Then I’ll poison him."
Everyone: "..." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
Lu Tong glanced at them: "Of course, I’m joking."
In a low voice, Ah Cheng spoke up: "Doctor Lu, your expression just now didn’t seem like a joke..."
After a commotion, Du Changqing’s fierce objections had no effect at all. Lu Tong was always like this—she did whatever she wanted without consulting others, stubborn as a bull. Whether it was developing new medicine, participating in the spring examinations, or resigning from the Hanlin Medical Institute, she followed her heart’s desires, free and unfettered. Without the restraint of parents or brothers and not caring about others’ opinions, the members of Benevolent Heart Medical Hall were at a loss with her. They could only futilely scold her symbolically.
While Lu Tong faced opposition with her marriage, the situation was entirely different for Pei Yunmeng.
Upon learning that her younger brother was about to marry, Pei Yunshu was utterly astonished.
"You’re getting married, to whom?"
"Who else could it be but Lu Tong?"
The next moment, Pei Yunshu grabbed hold of Pei Yunmeng’s arm: "Doctor Lu, you’re going to marry Doctor Lu?"
Tea spilled all over from the cup in her hand; Pei Yunmeng set down the cup, silent for a moment, then said, "Sister, what’s with that look?"
Pei Yunshu’s gaze was full of suspicion: "Ah Ying, you’re not kidding me, are you?"
She was quite fond of Lu Tong and could see her own brother’s affection for her, but it was difficult to figure out Lu Tong’s feelings. Sometimes there seemed to be something between them, while at other times there was some awkward detachment.
However, affection aside, how did it come to be that after a trip to Su Nan, they were set to marry upon their return?
"It’s not that you’re..."
Pei Yunmeng immediately guessed what was on her mind, his brow furrowing: "No such thing."
"... That’s good," Pei Yunshu patted her chest, "I knew you were sensible."
"Weren’t you always worried about my marriage? Now that it’s happening, you think it’s too soon," Pei Yunmeng glanced at her, "Aren’t you worried about me being a lonely bachelor anymore?"
Pei Yunshu glared at him in annoyance: "At that time, I heard the Empress Dowager was going to arrange your marriage, and I was worried the match wouldn’t be to your liking, but now..." She stopped abruptly mid-sentence.
With the new emperor’s ascension, Pei Yunmeng still served as the Commander of the Palace Front Office. Even though Pei Yunshu wasn’t active in the Imperial City, she could see that the emperor intended to continue relying on him.
When someone holds high position, many matters become out of their control, marriage included.
After a moment of silence, she said, "If you’re truly set on Miss Lu, it’s best to marry sooner rather than later."
Pei Yunmeng looked at her: "Sister..."
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