Lu Zheng spent the day at White Cloud Temple, departing only as the evening glow illuminated the sky. Affixing a Swift Travel Talisman to himself, he swiftly returned to the county.
The night passed uneventfully, and during the day, Lu Zheng continued studying medicine with Liu Qingyan.
After a day, he clearly felt his medical skills could now be enhanced with the light of fortune.
“Lu Lang.”
“Hm?”
“Tomorrow’s our rest day. Shall we visit Sister Shen at Peach Blossom Plain?”
“What?” Lu Zheng froze. He’d just seen Shen Ying a few days ago, and now another visit?
Spending a whole day at Peach Blossom Plain tomorrow, he’d struggle to resist visiting her at night!
A young man in his early twenties, brimming with vigor!
“What’s wrong?” Liu Qingyan looked at him, puzzled, “Don’t you want to go?”
“No, no,” Lu Zheng waved it off, “I was just thinking about the last time we went to Peach Blossom Plain.”
Liu Qingyan smiled softly, “That was twenty days ago, wasn’t it? On our rest day.”
“Exactly, exactly,” Lu Zheng nodded, meeting her gaze and adding, “I’m fine with it, of course.”
When he learned Shen Ying’s true identity, Lu Zheng had considered telling Liu Qingyan but decided against it. Being friends as ordinary people seemed better.
“Good,” Liu Qingyan nodded with a smile.
“I’ll head to the carriage depot later to rent a cart, so you don’t have to go early tomorrow,” Lu Zheng said, recalling that Liu Qingyan had arranged the cart the last two times.
“Let’s go together,” Liu Qingyan felt a warmth in her heart.
“Sister, sir, you don’t need to go, I’ll handle it!” Hu Zhou popped up behind them, grinning.
Thanks to Liu Qingyan’s acupuncture and medicine, Hu Zhou’s mother was recovering visibly, making Hu Zhou so cheerful he was all smiles, working eagerly at Benevolent Heart Hall.
*Smack!*
Hu Zhou’s mother slapped the back of his head, “What’s it to you? Off you go!”
It was her acupuncture day, so she’d come to the clinic in the afternoon, helping out despite protests.
Hu Zhou clutched his head, baffled. He was just trying to help, why the hit?
Hu Zhou’s mother greeted Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan, then dragged her son off by the ear, scolding as they went.
“Young Master Lu and Miss Liu are a perfect match, going to the depot together, chatting, walking, sharing sweet words. Why meddle? Come, help me wash clothes at home!”
“Oh—”
Hu Zhou clearly disliked laundry but couldn’t defy his mother.
She thought she spoke softly, but Lu Zheng heard every word. He wanted to say she misunderstood, but seeing Liu Qingyan’s shy expression, he faltered, unable to speak.
…
Soon, the clinic closed. Old Man Liu went home, and Lu Zheng headed to the carriage depot with Liu Qingyan.
“Lu Lang, you’re so talented, memorizing herb properties so quickly and offering unique insights on medical texts.”
Lu Zheng grinned, “That’s thanks to your teaching. If my old tutor had your skill, I might’ve already topped the imperial exams.”
“Lu Lang, teasing me again,” Liu Qingyan’s eyes curved, half-joyed, half-miffed.
With Lu Zheng, she felt an unusual ease, and his playful words always lifted her spirits.
Others praised her beauty or grace, but Lu Zheng lauded her teaching and medical ethics, striking right at her heart.
Her gaze toward him was almost brimming with affection.
At the depot, Lu Zheng paid, and the driver, Honest Zhang, a familiar face, took the job.
He instructed Zhang to wait at Tongyi Lane by Lu Zheng’s house at mid-morning, then walked back with Liu Qingyan.
“Lu Lang.”
“Hm?”
Liu Qingyan bit her lip, a bit shy, “How’s your chess?”
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, mentally giving himself seventy-two thumbs-up.
With a slight smirk, brimming with confidence but feigning nonchalance, he said, “I know a bit.”
“I’ve never seen your chess skills. How about a game when we get back?”
Lu Zheng blinked, sensing her intent.
“Sure.”
…
So, Lu Zheng stayed for dinner at the Liu household, then played a game of Go with Liu Qingyan in the study.
“This is…”
“Your chess style is so odd, Lu Lang.”
“How clever, it can be played like that!”
“Blending orthodox and unorthodox, striking unexpectedly!”
Liu Qingyan exclaimed repeatedly, while Lu Zheng basked in pride.
Damn right, he’d studied chess manuals, reviewed classic games by Nie Weiping, Chang Hao, Gu Li, and Ke Jie, burning three strands of fortune light…
His absolute skill wasn’t top-tier, but his breadth of strategies likely unmatched in the Great Jing Dynasty.
If someone figured out his style, he might lose, but for now…
Seeing Liu Qingyan’s admiring look, Lu Zheng was quite pleased with himself.
In under an hour, she conceded mid-game.
“Lu Lang,” Liu Qingyan looked up, her expression charming, almost coaxing.
“What’s up?”
“How about tomorrow, you play chess with Sister Shen?”
Lu Zheng chuckled, touched, knowing she wanted him to shine before Shen Ying, suggesting this only after confirming his skill.
“Win or lose, it’s all fun. Chess is just a leisure game, a mental exercise, a bit of enjoyment. Don’t mind the outcome.”
Fresh off his victory, Lu Zheng preached from a moral high ground.
And Liu Qingyan bought it.
“Win or lose, it’s all joy. What a fine mindset, Lu Lang.”
She recalled their talk about studying and officialdom, when Lu Zheng said he sought freedom, not the cage of bureaucracy.
“I was too attached to outcomes,” Liu Qingyan nodded thoughtfully, gaining insight.
Lu Zheng blinked, feeling she flickered briefly but returned to normal.
“Alright, I’ll play Sister Shen tomorrow, but if you’re in the mood, Lu Lang, feel free to jump in,” she smiled.
Lu Zheng nodded, grinning, “Watching you play is enough for me.”
Liu Qingyan blushed, “It’s late, Lu Lang, you should head back.”
She hurried past him, opening the study door.
“Qingquan? Qingquan!”
Lu Zheng peeked out, spotting Liu Qingquan crouched silently by the door, eavesdropping.
“What are you doing!”
“Just passing by!” Liu Qingquan shouted, then bolted.
Liu Qingyan gritted her teeth but didn’t chase, only seeing Lu Zheng out of the courtyard.
