She walked over to Pei Yunmeng’s side and looked down at the items on the cart.
Most of the beaded jewelry had already been sold, leaving only a few scattered earrings, but she didn’t wear earrings, so she brushed aside a few on the surface and revealed a corner of wood beneath. Lu Tong reached out and picked up a wood comb from beneath the earrings.
The wooden comb was curved like a crescent moon, lying small and delicate in her palm. Pei Yunmeng lowered his gaze to look at it, then spoke with a sudden profound meaning, "It’s a comb brush."
"Yes," she responded, then, realizing something, looked up at him.
Pei Yunmeng was calmly watching her.
He didn’t say anything, but Lu Tong suddenly felt a bit guilty.
That Qixi Festival night, she and Pei Yunmeng had gone to Qiqiao Tower, and thanks to his luck, found a Golden Magpie, and in exchange, obtained a comb. Upon reflection, the comb also had significant meaning. And when she later refused Pei Yunmeng, she had bluntly told him, "I’ve already thrown it away."
In the past, she had been decisive, feeling that the future’s conclusion couldn’t be changed, but she hadn’t expected that now, several years later, she was truly tripping over her own feet.
Unable to withstand the condemning gaze of the person before her, Lu Tong carefully chose her words, "Actually... I didn’t mean to... "
He suddenly laughed softly.
The words at the tip of Lu Tong’s tongue immediately halted.
"Why so nervous," Pei Yunmeng spoke leisurely, "I’m not that petty after all." Seeing that Lu Tong still furrowed her brows, he softened his tone, somewhat helplessly adding, "I know you didn’t do it on purpose back then."
"How could you know?" She looked up.
"The Qi Family’s spy later told me, you were called alone to the Hua Ying Court; I guessed as much." Pei Yunmeng’s smile faded as he looked at Lu Tong, "Sorry, I didn’t know the situation you were in back then."
He had been dejected and restless due to a matter of the heart at that time, only to later find out what kind of emotions Lu Tong harbored when she refused him, struggling alone.
Every time he thought of it, he felt he owed her a great deal.
While contemplating, Lu Tong tugged at his sleeve, as if it were nothing, and said, "I’ve long forgotten about the past. Anyway, that comb wasn’t nice looking. I think this one is much better." She held the comb she had in her hand out for Pei Yunmeng to see, "Let’s buy this one. I’ll wear it tomorrow."
He shook his head, smiling, and paid. Once the comb was securely in her possession, she suddenly heard a voice from ahead, "Doctor Lu?"
Lu Tong turned around to look and saw a group of people descending from the stairs of a nearby tavern. The leading official, in official uniform, upon seeing the two of them, didn’t mind the people behind him and rushed down the steps, speaking excitedly, "Marshal Pei!"
Lu Tong was stunned for a moment, "Minister Shen?" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
Shen Fengying was dressed in official uniform, but his waist no longer bore the sword he used to carry, and he appeared different from the past in his wide-sleeved robe. Lu Tong glanced at the people on the steps behind him and asked with confusion, "Minister Shen, is this... "
Upon hearing this, Shen Fengying was extremely pleased.
"I am now working as a chief registrar at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Capital Qu Yuan, managing the production of brewing yeast for the internal wine storage and sales." He said, "Doctor Lu, oh, I should say Doctor Lu now, if you want to brew wine in the future, just come and find me."
Lu Tong saw he looked refreshed and spirited, a stark contrast to the exhausted look he often had while working at the Patrol House, and she commented, "Minister Shen seems to be doing well."
"Indeed," Shen Fengying replied with a smile, "I won’t lie to the two of you. When I was serving at the Patrol Shop, the pay was little, but the workload was excessive. Although the pay is still modest now, the work is much less than at the Patrol Shop and not as dangerous. On an average day, I only need to inspect the wine, which is much easier than inspecting people." Then, turning to Pei Yunmeng with a bow and a smile, "Much of this is also thanks to Marshal Pei."
Lu Tong: "Pei Yunmeng?"
"The Capital Qu Yuan was short-staffed, and it was Marshal Pei who recommended me. Though the position isn’t high-ranking, it’s excellent. Now, I get to finish work on time every evening, a vast improvement over the sleepless nights at the Patrol Shop."
Pei Yunmeng said, "You passed the Official Examiner’s assessment on your own merit, it had nothing to do with me."
"Still, I owe some of it to Marshal Pei’s reputation," Shen Fengying remarked as he thrust a small porcelain jar he was carrying into Lu Tong’s hands without waiting for a reply, "This is the newly brewed osmanthus wine from the tavern ahead, which has passed inspection. Take it with you and give it a try, consider it a small token of my appreciation."
"Wait a minute..."
Before Lu Tong could respond, he flicked his robe and turned back to the stone steps, leaving behind a comment, "This wine isn’t expensive, so it doesn’t count as a bribe, Doctor Lu, rest assured."
The man, who was evidently adept at navigating the Patrol House, moved with surprising agility as he quickly departed with his colleagues. Lu Tong lowered her gaze to the porcelain jar in her hands, then looked at Pei Yunmeng.
"Go ahead and take it," he sighed, "I’ll have someone send the silver over later."
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