Chapter 42

Chapter 42

After lunch, they had a visitor. Lu Suian disliked entertaining, so after a brief greeting, he slipped away. As he turned, he noticed that Shen Anning from the ladies' side had already disappeared. Before he could take a closer look, Chang Li hurriedly approached and reported, "Young Master, I heard there has been a gruesome murder in the East Market."

With a population of over a million in the capital, a murder case was not unusual. It would be handled by the local authorities and wasn't something for the Dali Temple to intervene in.

However, since it was the Mid-Autumn Festival and the East Market lantern festival was bustling with activity, Lu Suian feared that a major incident might occur. With no other plans that day, he pondered for a moment and decided to go and check. Before leaving, he specifically instructed Chang Li, "Deliver my belongings to the main residence."

Chang Li had been thrilled when he heard the young master’s order to move into the main residence from now on. There was no need for further reminders—as soon as Lu Suian gave the instruction, Chang Li had already eagerly delivered the items. He said with a wink, "No need to worry, sir—already taken care of early. There’s no need for repeated reminders—Chun Qi has already personally seen to everything."

Chang Li spoke with a meaningful and animated expression.

Noticing Lu Suian’s fixed gaze, Chang Li immediately ducked his head, realizing he had spoken out of turn. He quickly shut his mouth and lightly slapped his own mouth.

A moment later, the master and servant left the residence.

…

The East Market was bustling with crowds that day, with a continuous stream of people. Even though the lantern festival had not yet begun, nearly a million people from around the capital had already gathered. The crowds along both sides of the moat were so dense that people were nearly pushed into the water.

August Pavilion was the most lively and expensive restaurant in the capital, with six floors in total. From the top floor, one could overlook most of the capital.

Named after the eighth month and located near the lantern festival, it was extremely difficult to secure a reservation there on Mid-Autumn Day. Reservations had to be made at least three months in advance, and many noble families considered booking this place on Mid-Autumn Night a matter of prestige.

Across the moat stood the Crane Immortal Pavilion. Though separated only by a river, the other side was much quieter. Little did anyone know that, in the near future, the West Market would be developed and become several times more bustling than the East Market?

"So, what do you think, Gui Geer? Isn’t the capital beautiful?"

In a private room on the third floor, Shen Anning led Gui Geer to the window to admire the street scene below.

Hu Zi is Gui Geer's childhood nickname.

On this Mid-Autumn Festival, Shen Anning asked Lady Xiao for leave and specially brought Gui Geer to enjoy the lantern festival.

This elegant chamber was reserved by Shen Anning not long ago. Given the immense popularity of the August Pavilion, a few best rooms are always kept aside on Mid-Autumn nights to avoid unexpected situations—such as the arrival of more distinguished guests with no rooms available. In the capital, where the city is teeming with nobility, businesses operating at this level are shrewd enough to have a backup plan.

Although the Shen and Lu families are of extraordinary status, they are not the most prominent among the numerous nobles in the capital. Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible to reserve a best room at this time. However, on a whim, she casually made a bet with the manager, wagering that his restaurant would see a significant decline in business next year and likely become the second-ranked restaurant in the capital.

The manager naturally laughed it off. The August Pavilion is the number one restaurant in the capital—how could its business possibly decline? Just as he was about to angrily turn her away, he noticed her refined appearance and noble demeanor. After a moment’s hesitation, he went inside to report the matter. Shortly after, he came out and generously offered her an elegant chamber—a premium one on the third floor.

Even Shen Anning was greatly surprised.

She hadn’t even used her real "trump card" yet—the fact that in her previous life, the second branch of the Lu family had reserved a spot at the August Pavilion but canceled for some reason. Shen Anning happened to remember this when she passed by that day and came to try her luck, asking if the Lu family had canceled their reservation. If they had, she could take the room.

Unexpectedly, even before she could use her trump card, a room was miraculously made available for her—and a premium one on the third floor at that.

On Mid-Autumn Day, the rebooking fee for an elegant chamber at the August Pavilion alone could reach hundreds of taels, often highly sought-after. It wasn’t something money alone could secure. Yet, it was given to her so easily.

Though inwardly surprised, she thought it might just be a stroke of luck and didn’t dwell on it further.

That day, she took Gui Geer out to broaden his horizons, making good on a promise she failed to keep in her previous life, while also giving herself a rare chance to relax.

In her past life, she had heard about the popularity of the August Pavilion but never visited. Now, she intended to fully enjoy the experience.

Gui Geer stared intently at the street below, where acrobats, fire-breathers, and various lively performances vied for attention. Yet, his gaze remained fixed on the patrolling guards, following one pair as they walked away and eagerly awaiting the next.

"Like those big swords?" Shen Anning asked with a smile, knowing Gui Geer had a fondness for martial arts and weaponry.

Gui Geer nodded vigorously, then turned to Shen Anning with a solemn little face and said, "I want to be a yamen runner someday too—they seem so imposing."

His innocent words made Shen Anning laugh.

In their village of Lingshui, yamen runners were the most imposing figures ordinary folks like them ever got to see. But here in the capital, they were as insignificant as ants.

Still, Shen Anning didn’t laugh at him for it. If that was what he wanted, why not let him be a yamen runner?

Yet, for a fleeting moment, Gui Geer’s words reminded her of Lu Suian—someone so deeply impressive, so celebrated today. She wondered how awestruck Gui Geer would be if he ever saw him.

But the thought was quickly dismissed with a hint of disdain.

They watched the bustling scene for a while, and soon Shen Anning began glancing around restlessly, as though searching for something.

Not long after, a commotion broke out downstairs. Peering down, they saw the tavern keeper directing two attendants to set up a signboard at the entrance of the tavern. Passersby gathered around, and an elderly man who could read stepped forward, haltingly deciphering the notice on the sign: "Hefty Reward: For solving mysterious illnesses… a reward of a thousand silver taels!"

As soon as the notice was read aloud, it drew a crowd instantly.

"A thousand taels? Is this for real?"

"What kind of illness could be worth a thousand taels? Good heavens, that’s a fortune!"

"Innkeeper, is this notice genuine?"

Word of the thousand-tael reward spread through the street like wildfire, and in the blink of an eye, the area below was jam-packed.

The innkeeper cleared his throat and announced loudly, "It’s absolutely real. Would our August Moon Tavern pull a scam? Friends and neighbors, a wealthy patron at our tavern has recently fallen ill with a mysterious illness. If there’s anyone skilled in medicine among you, feel free to step forward and examine the case. Should some extraordinary talent succeed in curing this ailment, the guest is willing to offer a generous reward."

His words sparked a wave of murmurs and eager discussions. Soon, someone excitedly pressed, "Innkeeper, with a reward this high, what exactly is the patient suffering from?"

The innkeeper shot a sidelong glance and retorted, "If I knew what the illness was, would I be out here making announcements? If the guest knew, would there be any need to post a reward and seek physicians?"

That immediately shut down the crowd’s speculation.

Indeed, diagnosing an illness wasn’t just manual labor—it required skill. Without years of medical training, who would dare show off their half-baked skills here?

And so, they could only watch helplessly as this golden opportunity slipped away.

Within moments, half the crowd dispersed. Of course, some rushed off excitedly to spread the word, likely knowing someone skilled in medicine.

The innkeeper, calm and unhurried, soon set up a booth nearby and waited patiently.

A short while later, a gaunt, timid-looking man cautiously stepped forward and inquired, "I have some knowledge of medicine. May I perhaps examine the honored guest?"

Though the man was plainly dressed, he appeared neat and respectable—not some shifty character. The innkeeper questioned him carefully about his residence and occupation. Learning that he worked in a pharmacy rather than as an experienced physician, the innkeeper still didn’t look down on him. After registering his details, he had someone escort the man inside.

Seeing that the screening wasn’t overly strict, and tempted by the substantial reward, those who had been hesitant mustered their courage and stepped forward eagerly. Combined with the bustling foot traffic and the rapidly spreading news, a long line had formed outside the tavern in less than a quarter of an hour—it became the most eye-catching spectacle outside the August Moon Tavern.

……

"Madam, do you think that reward notice downstairs is genuine? If this person can afford to be so extravagant, why not seek out a skilled physician from a reputable clinic instead of staging this mysterious performance at a tavern? Is this really about finding a cure? Can they actually find a reliable doctor this way? With a thousand taels, aside from imperial physicians, what kind of doctor in the whole capital couldn’t they hire?"

Upstairs, Bai Tao watched the notice and the commotion below, clicking her tongue in astonishment.

A thousand taels was a colossal sum—not just for ordinary families, but even for a Marquis’s household. It was impossible not to be amazed.

However, Shen Anning's eyes danced with curiosity as she observed the scene below intently. "Someone who can offer a fortune in gold at once must be either immensely wealthy or noble. Since it's a rare and complicated ailment, they've likely sought medical help for a long time and consulted many famous doctors, resorting to such a desperate measure. But you never know—there are reclusive masters and forgotten ancient remedies among the people. Perhaps they might just find the fated person this way."

As she spoke, Shen Anning suddenly curved her lips into a slight smile. "I'm curious whether that noble will find their fated person today."

With that, she turned and smiled at Bai Tao.

Bai Tao's eyes twinkling with unrestrained gossipy curiosity, instantly brightened. She eagerly raised her hand and suggested, "Shall this servant go... take a peek?"

Shen Anning simply nodded with a smile, indulging her. "Go ahead."

Then, she turned to Hu Zi and said, "It's still early now—the lantern festival hasn't started yet. It'll only become beautiful when the lanterns are lit. Today, the restaurant will light a box lantern that's three stories tall. Come in and grab a bite first to fill your stomach; it'll be bustling later, and your eyes won't know where to look."

While allowing Bai Tao to go enjoy the excitement, she invited Gui Geer inside to eat. But no sooner had they sat down than Bai Tao pushed the door open, about to head downstairs to investigate, when a commotion arose below. The manager, who had just been setting up a stall downstairs, suddenly led a group of people up to the third floor, heading straight for... the room next to theirs.

So, the noble offering a heavy reward for treating a rare and complicated ailment was right next door?

Bai Tao immediately stuck her head out, openly enjoying the fresh drama right at their doorstep. Soon, two, three, four little heads gathered in a row at the door, and even Gui Geer couldn't resist, curiously crowding over.

Outside the door was a string of heads; outside the room, a long queue had formed.

Manager Qi bent at the waist and cautiously knocked twice on the neighboring door, announcing obsequiously, "Noble guest, I've brought some barefoot doctors and those knowledgeable in medicine who came to offer their services. Would you like them to examine you now, or...?"

Manager Qi smiled ingratiatingly, bowing and scraping, with unctuous flattery.

The manager of August Pavilion was well-acquainted with the world—many princes, nobles, and powerful figures were his honored guests. How could someone who ran the top restaurant in the capital be an ordinary person? Minor officials didn't even catch his eye, yet here he was, fawning so obsequiously, indicating the guest inside was no ordinary noble.

Yet, long after he spoke, the room remained silent, with no response.

Manager Qi remained bowed, showing no impatience.

At this sight, the curious crowd instantly fell silent, everyone holding their breath, tense with anticipation.

In the dead silence, the door creaked open, and a tall, burly man stepped out. Dressed in black, he was unremarkable in appearance, with a face easily forgotten. Though his exact status was unclear, his demeanor clearly marked him as a trained martial artist.

The black-clad man glanced at Manager Qi and said curtly, "Enter."

Just one word, as though each word cost him gold.

He stood like a statue at the door, his gaze sharp and piercingly cold, scrutinizing everyone. Wherever his eyes fell, people quickly lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

Manager Qi immediately nodded and bowed. "My thanks, Guard Jiang."

So, he was a guard.

After speaking, Manager Qi straightened up and warned the long queue behind him, "The noble inside is like a celestial being from the heavens—even a single strand of their hair is more precious than all of you here combined. Once inside, do not act clumsily or disturb them, or you'll regret it. Understood?"

After this lecture, he pointed to the person at the front of the line. "You, follow me."

He then led that person respectfully into the room.

Those behind craned their necks to see, but the heavy door soon closed, completely concealing the scene inside, leaving nothing for outsiders to observe.

No one knew what was happening inside, and those outside waited anxiously. But in the blink of an eye, the heavy door opened again. The person who had entered with Manager Qi earlier seemed fine going in but came out with legs trembling violently, sweating profusely, and shaking with nerves. Before anyone could ask, they wiped their sweat and fled downstairs as if carried by the wind, stumbling and rolling down halfway, as if a ghost were chasing them.

This scene instantly made the remaining crowd shared their apprehension, and many considered backing out.

Soon, Manager Qi came out to call the second person. The second person emerged looking somewhat calmer than the first but was also covered in cold sweat. He gave a bitter smile at the crowd and said, "My knowledge is too meager, too meager..."

Muttering mysteriously things like "utterly unheard of" and "unprecedented," he wandered off downstairs talking to himself.

Those who went in after came out like flowers glimpsed from horseback, in and out quickly. Most looked bewildered, as if they couldn't process what had just happened. Until an elderly man angrily exclaimed, "Diagnosing and treating illnesses relies on observation, auscultation, questioning, and pulse-taking. No observing, no listening, no questioning, no pulse-taking—is this meant to diagnose or to mock an old man? Hmph, I won't bother anymore. If you can't afford the reward, don't put up such a grand sign—"

The old doctor cursed under his breath.

Everyone turned pale with fear, and even Manager Qi was startled by the sudden outburst, nearly stumbling. But inside, all remained calm, with no sign of reprimand or disturbance.

However, without observation, listening, questioning, or pulse-taking, how could anyone diagnose an illness?

The old doctor was a renowned physician from Guren Hall. If even he couldn't handle it, the rest quickly lost heart. Coupled with the strange situation inside, they soon backed out one after another, scattering like frightened birds.

Manager Qi, watching everyone disperse, cursed in frustration. Seeing he had mishandled the assignment, he turned pale, scrambling for words to apologize to the noble inside. Just then, a melodious and pleasing voice sounded behind him: "Manager, how about letting me give it a try?"

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