What does it mean that teaching an apprentice starves the master?
At this moment, Wei Caiwei had at least ten thousand words of personal insights she wanted to express. Well done, this kid had learned to give someone a taste of their own medicine.
Seeing Wei Caiwei speechless, Wang Daxia finally won a round and became even happier.
"Hmph, childish," Wei Caiwei said.
Wang Daxia replied, "You were the one who tricked me first." Then he pressed closer, leaning in for a closer look, "Let me see where you've hidden your nine tails."
Wei Caiwei, flustered and angry, snapped, "If you keep this up, I'll cut off that middle tail of yours."
Wang Xiaoxia trembled with fear and immediately settled down.
Indeed, one takes on the color of their company. After spending so much time with Wang Daxia, she had become infected by his youthful energy, as if returning to childhood, playing these childish games with him.
She changed his life, and he, in turn, subtly influenced her. Both she and he were gradually becoming different from their former selves.
The carriage grew quiet. Wei Caiwei picked up a brush and wrote herself a prescription for replenishing qi and blood, asking Wang Daxia to find a pharmacy along the street to fill it.
Wang Daxia took the prescription and noticed her handwriting was weak and sloppy, unlike her usual elegant and flowing script. Only then did he realize how severely her qi and blood were depleted and that she lacked physical strength. Not daring to tease her further, he quickly urged her to lie down, taking off his outer robe to cover her.
As they approached the Lu residence, Lu Ying was waiting at the crossroads. Wang Daxia jumped off the carriage, "Commander Lu, with your busy schedule handling countless affairs daily, why have you come from the office? Don't you trust me to protect Doctor Wei?"
Lu Ying said, "This is my home. I invited Doctor Wei as a guest, so naturally, I must personally escort her inside. The household has many people, all sorts of individuals. By welcoming Doctor Wei myself, no one would dare to slight her."
Lu Ying, who appeared cold-blooded and emotionless, like a work machine without feelings, actually had a soft and considerate side. She had thought of things even Wang Daxia hadn't considered.
Wang Daxia switched to riding a horse, proceeding side by side with Lu Ying as they entered the Lu residence through the left side gate.
Lu Ying specifically arranged for Wei Caiwei to stay in the courtyard where she studied and practiced martial arts. Its spaciousness and luxury were at least a hundred times more impressive than Wang Daxia's guest room.
Lu Ying's action once again caused a stir in the Lu residence.
Three days ago, she brought home an injured man, with ambiguous behavior and glances between them, coming and going together daily.
Three days later, she brought home an injured woman! After Wei Caiwei stepped down from the carriage, Lu Ying, seeing her face as pale as paper and her lips devoid of color, ordered a sedan chair to carry her.
Lu Ying's study was located in the inner quarters, where outside men were not permitted. Wang Daxia handed the medicine he had purchased to a servant to brew.
The sedan chair was carried directly to the study door. Wei Caiwei stepped down, her body weak and her legs unsteady. Lu Ying personally supported her into the room, where Wei Caiwei immediately lay down.
Lu Ying went out and instructed the maids and older female servants, "Doctor Wei is my good friend. Bring her the autumn clothes I've had made but haven't worn yet. Do not neglect our esteemed guest."
She then sought out the head of the inner kitchen and asked, "What foods help replenish blood?"
The head replied, "Naturally, like supplements like, color supplements color. Dried red dates, goji berries, fresh pork liver, lean meat, pork blood, duck blood, etc. Those expensive ingredients like abalone, shark fin, bird's nest, and dried scallops are actually not as effective as these simple red foods."
Lu Ying said, "Then arrange the menu as you suggested."Lu Ying's deep concern for Wei Caiwei astonished the entire Lu household, especially Lu Bing, who had previously suffered a stroke. He sighed, "You weren't this attentive and thorough when I fell ill."
Lu Ying replied, "She doesn't know martial arts, lost a lot of blood, and is all alone. I suspect her kidnapping is connected to our Embroidered Uniform Guard—we have a responsibility to protect her."
Lu Bing probed cautiously, "Her relationship with Wang Daxia seems unusual. You... don't mind?"
Lu Ying quoted casually, "If even I find her pitiable and lovable, how could Wang Daxia resist?"
Lu Bing spat out his ginseng tea in shock. "Nonsense! Not even married yet, and you're already thinking about embracing both sides—enjoying the blessings of two women!"
Lu Ying stated, "Father, you know perfectly well those miscarriage rumors about Doctor Wei and me are completely unfounded."
Lu Bing felt another stroke coming on. "I wasn't talking about you! It's Wang Daxia! What virtues does Wang Daxia possess to deserve having both you and her? A live-in son-in-law daring to bring an outside woman home—what kind of propriety is that!"
Lu Ying explained, "I brought Doctor Wei here personally—it has nothing to do with Wang Daxia. Besides, those unaware assume she and I are the couple. By bringing both of them home, I'm essentially playing the tyrant who seizes both men and women. Any young master in the capital would be ashamed not to engage in such behavior. I've merely committed the mistake every young master is prone to make."
"Doctor Wei has currently gained Lady Shang's favor. Those in the know, like Jing Wang and Yan Shifan, will assume I'm deliberately befriending Doctor Wei to build connections for career advancement. Being both women makes communication easier."
"You—" Lu Bing set his teacdown firmly. "You're still a woman after all. This tangled, messy relationship will damage your reputation. In the future—"
"In the future, I won't find a good marriage." Lu Ying finished her father's sentence. "That's exactly what I want. Should my entire life revolve around finding a good marriage? I'd rather choose to achieve merits and build a career."
Lu Bing asked, "What kind of man would you actually agree to marry? Give me a clear answer. Your marriage prospects worry me more than my stroke now." I'd search the entire ocean for a needle if I had to!
Lu Ying recalled Ding Wu's words: "Not until the White Lotus Sect is destroyed shall I return." She said, "It's not about meeting someone—it's about what achievements I make. Since you've entrusted the White Lotus Sect matter to me, I'll willingly retire and consider marriage only after I've eradicated the White Lotus Sect and accomplished great deeds in the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
Lu Bing asked, "What if you can't destroy the White Lotus Sect?"
Lu Ying declared, "Failure is impossible. I have full confidence in myself and my team. Until then, don't pressure me—it won't work anyway."
Seeing the determination in his daughter's eyes, Lu Bing comforted himself: At least there's a definite timeline now—far better than her previous refusal to marry altogether.
After withdrawing, Lu Ying busied herself searching for the carriage driver who kidnapped Wei Caiwei. She sent Embroidered Uniform Guard artists to the Shuntian Prefecture Yamen to find Commander Wu, who had spoken with the driver, and create detailed portraits of the suspect. Wanted notices were posted everywhere in the city with a five hundred tael bounty.
Having dealt with her father, Lu Ying faced her mother Li Yiren and younger sister that evening. Li Yiren asked, "Bringing a man home would be one thing, but what's the meaning of bringing a woman?"
Lu Ying patiently explained, "It's necessary for the investigation, Mother. Please don't overthink it."Lu Wumei felt a bit jealous. "Fourth Sister's study is usually off-limits even to me, yet you actually allowed a female physician inside. Is she closer to you than I am?"
"Of course you're closer, dear sister," Lu Ying replied. "It's because my previous case dragged her into trouble—I must take responsibility to the end. Otherwise, who would dare work with me in the future?"
Lu Wumei said, "But I've heard from the servants that Wang Daxia has an ambiguous relationship with her. How could you rush to put a green hat on your own head?"
Lu Ying and Wang Daxia had acted so convincingly that the naive Lu Wumei already regarded Wang Daxia as her future brother-in-law.
Lu Ying responded, "Rumors can't be trusted. There are also rumors that Doctor Wei had a miscarriage because of me, and many people firmly believe that. Don't you trust me?"
Li Yiren and Lu Wumei had no choice but to believe Lu Ying.
Thus, Wei Caiwei openly settled in the Lu residence to recuperate. During this period, Lady Shang of Yu De Palace summoned her once through the Directorate of Ceremonial. The Directorate officials first went to Sweetwater Lane, only to find her missing, then learned that Wei Caiwei had nearly been kidnapped on the street and was now staying at the Lu residence.
When the Directorate officials went to the Lu residence to fetch her, they saw Wei Caiwei's listless, sickly appearance and didn't dare press the matter, fearing she might spread illness to Lady Shang in the palace. Nowadays, the Emperor almost daily required Lady Shang's company at the Western Park—she couldn't afford to fall ill and spoil the Emperor's mood.
The Directorate officials returned empty-handed. Upon hearing that Wei Caiwei was injured, Shang Qinglan bestowed upon her a pile of precious medicinal ingredients and a chest of winter furs.
When Lady Shang's lavish gifts arrived conspicuously at the Lu residence, Wei Caiwei publicly knelt to express gratitude for the imperial favor. Only then did the Lu family realize she held such prestige with Lady Shang, the new favorite in the rear palace.
After half a month of recuperation at the Lu residence, Wei Caiwei had mostly recovered. Meanwhile, Ding Wu's pigeon post arrived at the Imperial Guard Office. Lu Ying decoded the cipher into plain text and obtained the answers.
After suffering major setbacks, White Lotus Sect leader Zhao Quan had been lying low recently, mainly operating some "miraculous healing" scams in Fengcheng to extort money from followers. He hadn't sent anyone to kill Wei Caiwei.
Additionally, the sect leader was extremely busy lately because Anda Khan was about to marry his third Hatun—none other than his own granddaughter, the former White Lotus Saint Jin Ying. The sect leader had been fasting and performing rituals to pray for Jin Ying's fertility and early childbirth of a noble son. With such grand ambitions, the sect leader wouldn't mobilize forces and weaken his own ranks for a minor figure like Wei Caiwei.
Furthermore, White Lotus Sect's Precious Scrolls were mostly transmitted orally in the Central Plains, rarely printed since most followers were illiterate. Even when scripture books existed, they typically used Buddhist sutra covers to conceal the Precious Scroll contents—they wouldn't use "Complete Tang Poems" covers.
Finally, Ding Wu repeatedly urged them to protect Wei Caiwei well and find the real culprit as soon as possible.
Lu Ying showed the secret letter to Wang Daxia and Lu Bing.
Upon learning Jin Ying's fate, Wang Daxia immediately cursed, "Anda Khan is utterly shameless! At his age, still lusting after his own granddaughter."
Lu Bing coughed lightly. "Fortunately, I removed you troublemaker from the Forbidden City. Just for that statement, you could be executed. Lady Shang is currently highly favored."Lu Ying said, "Since Ding Wu has ruled out the White Lotus Sect, then someone must be using the sect's name to create confusion. The kidnappers haven't been found despite the manhunt, meaning they must have accomplices providing shelter. Only two people could devise such a meticulous plan: either Jing Wang or Vice Minister Yan. However, Vice Minister Yan has no sufficient reason to target Doctor Wei, especially since Doctor Wei is currently favored by the imperial consort Shang Meiren."
"Yan Shifan has always been skilled at flattering and obeying the Emperor. Since the Emperor adores Shang Meiren, Yan Shifan would be eager to curry favor with her—why would he risk earning her displeasure? It doesn't add up, so I believe Jing Wang is the most suspicious."
Lu Bing reminded her, "But Jing Wang is far away in Anlu, Hubei."
Lu Ying replied, "The Jing Wang residence still owns properties in the capital—estates, farmlands, imperial shops, woodlands, and pastures, all managed by his staff. These places are ideal for hiding people. A centipede dies but never falls down. We can surveil these locations and watch for anyone resembling the carriage driver."
Wang Daxia volunteered, "I'll investigate. I believe Commander Lu's judgment is correct."
Lu Ying said, "You're the one who sent Jing Wang to his fiefdom. Probably everyone in the Jing Wang residence recognizes you and holds a grudge. Remember to disguise yourself—don't alert the enemy."
"No problem," Wang Daxia agreed and immediately went to change.
Lu Bing said, "Although we've ruled out the White Lotus Sect, you must continue spreading rumors that they were behind the market attack to mislead the real masterminds into thinking the Embroidered Uniform Guard has been fooled."
Lu Ying replied, "I understand—publicly pursue the White Lotus Sect while secretly investigating Jing Wang's connections."
Lu Bing sighed inwardly: Ah, such sharp perception... why did it have to be a girl?
Wang Daxia put on Lu Ying's female attire, transforming into a charming, vivacious young woman with a radiant smile. His gait was even more feminine than Lu Ying's, and he twirled before Lu Bing and his daughter. "Can you recognize me now?"
Lu Bing could barely stand to look, once again questioning himself: What kind of peculiar creature have I recruited into the Embroidered Uniform Guard?
Wang Daxia maintained his horrifying fashion sense from his previous life. Lu Ying pointed at his hairstyle, "Take that flower off."
Wang Daxia complied, removing a rose.
Lu Ying: "Keep going."
He took off a night-blooming cereus.
Lu Ying simply stood up and stripped about eighty percent of the silk flowers and hairpins from Wang Daxia's head, leaving only a pair of seasonal cornus decorations. "Don't treat your head like a vase—must you stick every flower in there? Doesn't it feel heavy?"
Dressed like this, he was indeed unrecognizable as Wang Daxia—but he'd become far too conspicuous instead.
Author's Note:
Ding Wu: I won't return until the White Lotus is defeated.
Lu Ying: I won't marry until the White Lotus is crushed.
Celebrating the successful formation of the Parrot CP! 100 red envelopes for celebration!
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