“Mood? Beauty? If you don’t come with me, Young Master, your situation might turn as foul as your mood. As for your beauty—with looks like yours, I fail to see any connection to the word ‘beauty’ at all.”
Wanqing’s icy expression only amused Leng Mingye, who smirked arrogantly, his words laced with mockery, audible only to the two of them.
“Oh, really? If I’m so hideous that I don’t even deserve your attention, Young Master, then why are you still clinging to me?”
This pompous man had already rejected her sincere apology and offer of compensation. Yet here he was again, clearly needing something from her but still acting high and mighty, scrutinizing her with a mix of disdain and condescension.
Most women might have cowered under his words, feeling humiliated or enraged by his blunt insults about their appearance. But Wanqing merely smiled faintly and countered with a question.
“You—since you’ve said so, don’t blame me for being ruthless. No one gets away with owing me. Come with me now.”
Her calm yet unyielding demeanor, as if she owed him nothing, infuriated Leng Mingye. Though his face wore a faint smile, his eyes remained cold. In a flash, he lunged forward, aiming to seize her wrist.
“Young Master, please calm yourself. Though I’m unaware of the conflict between you and the Second Miss Mu, I’ve been ordered by my master, Prince Ning, to escort her safely home. I hope you won’t make this difficult for me.”
Before Wanqing could respond, Qingfeng stepped forward, blocking Leng Mingye’s path. His words were clear—if Leng Mingye continued to harass her, he’d have to consider Prince Ning’s reputation. It was a subtle warning for him to back down.
“Insolence! A mere guard from Prince Ning’s estate dares to stop me? Not even Prince Ning—or the Emperor himself—could prevent me from taking this girl. Move aside, or I won’t hold back.”
Qingfeng’s interference only fueled Leng Mingye’s irritation. The fact that Prince Ning had assigned a guard to protect her, and that she had left his estate so late at night under this man’s watchful eye, stirred an inexplicable frustration in him.
Seeing Qingfeng stand firm, Leng Mingye’s gaze turned murderous. With a cold snarl, he struck out. Though Qingfeng dodged, the sheer force of the attack left him breathless, his stance unsteady.
“I’m merely following orders. If you insist on taking Miss Mu, you’ll have to kill me first.”
Despite the overwhelming power behind Leng Mingye’s strike, Qingfeng remained resolute, his eyes wary but unyielding.
“Is that so? Then I’ll kill you first and take her after.”
Leng Mingye smirked, launching another devastating palm strike toward Qingfeng.
“Miss Mu, move!”
Qingfeng’s expression darkened as he yanked Wanqing aside, shielding her with his body. Though they narrowly avoided the fatal blow, the impact still sent him staggering, blood trickling from his lips.
“Damn it! Honglian, catch her! Leng Mingye, if you have a problem, take it out on me! Attacking an innocent bystander is cowardly! I already offered to repay my debt—you refused. Yet here you are, acting like a petty thug. I never thought the famed Young Master Ji, known for his word, would stoop so low. Fine. From now on, I, Mu Wanqing, owe you nothing. Leave. If you ever harm someone unrelated to our feud again, don’t blame me for being ruthless. Qingfeng, are you alright? Take this.”
Wanqing had intended to tell Qingfeng not to interfere, but Leng Mingye struck before she could speak. Seeing Qingfeng injured while protecting her, her blood boiled.
She shoved Qingfeng toward Honglian, then flicked her wrist, sending a hidden needle from her bracelet straight at Leng Mingye. Though he dodged mid-air, the needle still grazed his shoulder.
As he landed, his face contorted in pain. He quickly sealed his acupoints to suppress the poison, his expression dark with fury.
Wanqing didn’t spare him another glance, turning instead to Qingfeng, who was being steadied by Honglian.
“I’m fine. This injury won’t stop me. Wanqing, don’t escalate things with the Young Master for my sake.”
Qingfeng, though weakened, managed a reassuring smile. But Wanqing was already striding toward Leng Mingye, her eyes cold.
“Qingfeng, you got hurt because of me. I’m the one who should apologize. But since he harmed you, he must pay. Leng Mingye, I warned you—take your anger out on me, but touch those around me, and I won’t hold back. This needle is your punishment. Let’s go.”
She stepped closer, driving another needle into his shoulder. The venom spread instantly, numbing half his arm.
“You—Mu Wanqing, mark my words. One day, I’ll make you beg for death. You’ll regret crossing me.”
Gritting his teeth, Leng Mingye watched as she turned away without hesitation, helping Qingfeng and Honglian into the carriage.
His eyes burned with fury, his voice a roar of rage. If looks could kill, Wanqing would have been torn to shreds.
(To be continued…)
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