[The Bitter Tonic]
"Drink it," Luo Ye commanded, placing a steaming bowl of dark medicine before Ling Dang. "Sang Qi prescribed it. It's a tonic to help you grow taller."
Ling Dang stared at the liquid, her heart racing. She wasn't a boy; what would this "growth tonic" do to her female body? But seeing the genuine hope in Luo Ye's eyes, she couldn't refuse. Over the past month, she had forced down three doses.
It's bitter on my tongue, but sweet in my heart, she thought. But this sweetness hides a secret I can barely keep.
[The Bound Chest]
Late at night in the Yao Mansion, Ling Dang locked her doors and windows. Finally, she unwound the long strips of cloth bound tightly around her chest.
"Growth tonic?" she grumbled, blushing as she looked in the mirror. "I haven't grown an inch taller... but these are getting harder to hide!"
With better food and rest, her body was becoming more feminine. Her skin was as pale as porcelain, and her features were softening. She touched the curves she was forced to hide every morning. If Luo-Dage finds out... will he kick me out? I don't want to leave him.
[The Red Maple Leaf]
During an autumn patrol, a gust of wind sent red maple leaves dancing like flames through the air. Ling Dang laughed, reaching out to catch them. Her eyes sparkled, her face flushed with a healthy glow.
Luo Ye watched her, mesmerized. "Yes... truly beautiful," he murmured unconsciously.
He snapped back to reality, his heart thundering. How could I say that to a 'lad'?! He turned away quickly, his ears burning red. Ling Dang, unaware of his inner turmoil, carefully tucked a maple leaf into her ledger.
Was he talking about the leaf... or me?
[The Silent Plea]
The next day, Ling Dang stumbled into the medical tent, her face ghostly pale. She was doubled over in pain. Her latest cycle had come with a vengeance, likely triggered by the male-oriented growth tonics.
She saw a beautiful woman in a pale green dress sitting with Sang Qi. It's that lady from the Li family, she realized.
Sang Qi frowned. "What's wrong, kid? You look half-dead."
Ling Dang bit her lip. She couldn't tell Sang Qi—he might tell Luo Ye. Desperate, she caught Li Furong's eye. While Sang Qi was distracted, she whispered into Furong's ear:
"Sister... please help me. I am a girl. My cycle is causing me such pain, but I cannot tell Physician Sang."
Furong froze, her eyes widening. She looked at the small, trembling "boy" and felt a sudden, fierce protective instinct. She squeezed Ling Dang's hand.
"Don't worry," Furong whispered. "I'll handle this."
[The Great Escape]
"Physician Sang, a sudden matter has arisen at home," Li Furong announced, standing up and supporting Ling Dang. "I'm taking this little clerk with me to help with some errands."
Before Sang Qi could protest, Furong had whisked Ling Dang away and into her carriage. Sang Qi stood at the entrance of his tent, staring at the dust.
"Wait..." he blinked, utterly bewildered. "Did that brat just... run off with my Furong?"
Inside the carriage, as the wheels rattled against the cobblestones, Ling Dang finally let out a breath of relief, leaning against her new ally.