“Hehe, it’s nothing major. It’s just that I remember our first meeting was in the alley opposite Chunxiang Tower. You were injured at the time, and when I appeared, you almost mistook me for someone and tried to kill me.”
Qingfeng’s demeanor was both reserved and curious, his eyes shy yet expectant as they met hers. Even in the darkness of the night, Wanqing could faintly sense the emotions swirling in his gaze. With a soft sigh in her heart, she smiled lightly at him, recounting the scene of their first encounter.
“Hehe, indeed. Who would’ve thought we’d become friends after a fight?”
At the mention of the past, Qingfeng’s mind immediately recalled the earlier events. Thinking of everything this girl had done to him back then, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
“That’s exactly how it was. But, Brother Qingfeng, I’d like to know—when you were injured back then, did you stab Prince Xiu? Or perhaps you offended someone you shouldn’t have?”
Seeing Qingfeng’s bashful and earnest expression as he spoke of the past, Wanqing nodded in agreement. Then, with a serious look in her eyes, she stopped and turned to him, asking the question that had been on her mind.
“Qing’er, you—”
Hearing her sudden inquiry, Qingfeng’s expression shifted. Though he didn’t know how she had learned about his injury involving Prince Xiu after so many days, he now found himself in an awkward position. While he told himself inwardly that he didn’t want to hide anything from her, the gravity of the matter forced him to remain silent.
“It seems I was right. Who you injured and why—if you don’t wish to say, I won’t press you. But there’s something I must warn you about. Today, Leng Mingye came to me, questioning me about the incident and asking if I’d seen the culprit. He found it strange that the culprit, despite being severely poisoned at the time, had managed to escape.”
Though Qingfeng didn’t speak, his expression told Wanqing that her guess was correct. Though she didn’t fully understand the entanglement between Prince Ning and Prince Xiu, considering her own history with Leng Mingye, she looked at him seriously as she spoke.
She said this not only to ensure that her own conflict with Leng Mingye wouldn’t drag them into trouble but also to give them a chance to act before they were cornered and left defenseless.
“Qing’er, you didn’t tell him about the situation back then, did you?”
At Wanqing’s words, Qingfeng’s initial panic subsided. Realizing the severity of the matter, he became unusually serious, though a hint of inexplicable hope lingered in his eyes as he looked at her and asked.
“What do you think?”
Seeing that he had already been told so much yet still questioned her, Wanqing chuckled lightly in response.
“I believe Qing’er wouldn’t tell him—otherwise, you wouldn’t have warned me. I’ll report this to our master, and we’ll do everything we can to cover for you. By the way, Qing’er, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask—though I’m not sure if it’s appropriate.”
Wanqing’s expression made Qingfeng pause, but he still looked at her with hopeful eyes. Seeing her faint smile, he finally felt a weight lift from his heart. Grateful for her honesty, he regarded her with sincerity. When she didn’t respond, he hesitated before voicing the question that had been on his mind.
“Just focus on handling your own affairs—I’ll manage my own. As for your question, go ahead and ask.”
Qingfeng’s cautious concern for her made Wanqing smile faintly. The matter with Prince Xiu had nothing to do with her, and even if it did, she wasn’t afraid. Given Prince Xiu’s connections with the Empress and Sun Fengyu, if they truly suspected her and intended to act against her, she had the means to counter them through Sun Fengyu and her own resources. Seeing Qingfeng’s sudden shift to a somber expression, she looked at him curiously.
“I know I shouldn’t pry into your personal matters, but this has been bothering me—is there some rift between you and the Young Master?”
Wanqing’s boldness made Qingfeng chuckle inwardly—this girl’s demeanor was anything but feminine, even surpassing most men. Yet it was precisely this side of her that made him want to protect her even more. Based on what he knew of her past, he couldn’t fathom what she had endured in such a short time to become so resilient—so strong that even men like him couldn’t help but admire her.
Hearing her response, Qingfeng paused, gazing at the night sky ahead before voicing the question that had been weighing on his mind.
“Why do you see it that way?”
His words made Wanqing smile faintly in return. They had only met a few times, yet he had observed her so keenly.
“Instinct. Though the Young Master treats you differently, I sense that you’re hiding something from him—perhaps even guarding against him. Qing’er, if there’s any trouble or difficulty, you can tell me. I believe both my master and I will do everything in our power to help you.”
Wanqing’s lighthearted retort made Qingfeng stop in his tracks. Though he had only witnessed a few of their interactions, his eyes were filled with concern as he turned to face her, placing a hand on her shoulder and speaking earnestly—a confession from his heart.
“Hehe, it’s really nothing—just a small misunderstanding. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it. Honglian is here—let’s go. Here’s the detailed design I drew earlier. When you have time, have both the Young Master’s and yours crafted. Once his is done, I’d like you to give it to me—I’ll deliver it to him personally.”
Hearing his question, Wanqing realized that despite her efforts to remain composed, he had still noticed. With a light chuckle, she handed him the paper as Honglian approached. Seeing his hesitant expression, she watched as he tucked it into his robe before she and Honglian boarded the carriage, heading back to the Marquis’s residence.
“Stop! Stop the carriage!”
Just as they had left Prince Ning’s residence and were halfway to the Marquis’s estate, a figure suddenly appeared in their path, standing coldly before the carriage and calling out in a low voice. Before Qingfeng could react, the figure leaped onto the horse’s back, gripping the reins tightly and forcing the carriage to an abrupt halt.
“Young Master, what’s the meaning of stopping Prince Ning’s carriage in the middle of the night?”
Qingfeng glared at the man who had caused their carriage to jolt to a stop, now standing before them. Dressed in moon-white robes, his face as flawless as jade, yet his eyes burned with an indescribable mix of agitation and madness. Remembering the possible conflict between him and Wanqing, Qingfeng stepped forward and asked coolly.
“Well, if it isn’t Prince Ning’s lackey. I have no interest in stopping your master’s carriage—I’m here for the person inside. Girl, didn’t you say you owed me and would make it up to me? Good—I have something I need you to do. Get out and come with me.”
Seeing Qingfeng blocking his way, Leng Mingye’s brow furrowed slightly. Clearly unimpressed, he spoke dismissively before turning his gaze to the drawn curtain of the carriage, as if Wanqing’s debt to him meant she had no choice but to obey.
“Oh, it’s you, Young Master. I did say I owed you and would make amends—that’s true. But as I recall, you refused my offer. In that case, I’d appreciate it if you’d step aside. I haven’t slept all night, and if I don’t rest soon, it’ll affect both my mood and my complexion.”
Faced with the man who had suddenly blocked her path, Wanqing thought back to the fury in his eyes and his warning when he had left earlier.
Though she did feel indebted to him, whether she would obediently follow his orders depended entirely on her mood. With that in mind, she lifted the curtain and looked down at the man standing before her carriage, speaking coolly and with an air of defiance.
(To be continued.)
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