“It seems like poisoning, yet not quite like poisoning, but his pulse is extremely erratic—so erratic that I’m at a loss for what to do. Master, what on earth is happening? How could this be? There are wounds on his shoulder and hand?”
Qingfeng’s urgent questioning was met with Bai Yu’s graceful rise. Gazing at him as he dressed himself, Bai Yu couldn’t help but ask about the injuries on his shoulder and hand.
“I’m not entirely sure either, but I suspect this has something to do with the Second Miss of the Mu family. That girl has completely changed. Yet, the needle marks on the master’s hand and his words make me feel she must be the one who harmed him. Given the master’s condition, do you really have no solution at all?”
Bai Yu’s inquiry prompted Qingfeng to furrow his brows in thought, analyzing the situation. As he spoke, he observed the master—though his breathing seemed normal, his face was flushed as if burning, and despite being unconscious, his brows frequently furrowed in evident pain and discomfort. Unable to hold back, Qingfeng asked,
“My medical skills can handle common ailments, but the master’s current state leaves me truly helpless. At this point, aside from seeking out the Second Miss Mu, only the healers from the Medicine Valley might be able to help. Master—no, his condition is worsening! His breathing is becoming increasingly unstable. Qingfeng, go find the Second Miss Mu—quickly!”
Qingfeng’s question was met with Bai Yu’s equally anxious gaze as he watched the unconscious man writhing in agony. Recalling the earlier pulse diagnosis, he spoke urgently. Just as they were discussing, Leng Mingye suddenly sat up and spat out another mouthful of blood, prompting them to rush forward in panic.
Seeing Leng Mingye vomit blood, his entire body flushed crimson, a faint red glow flickering between his brows, his expression twisted in unbearable pain, veins bulging on his forehead, and his eyelids twitching violently—it was as if something was about to burst forth from his body, leaving him with no choice but to grit his teeth and endure.
Bai Yu swiftly stepped forward, placing one hand on his pulse while pressing the other against Leng Mingye’s shoulder, channeling his inner energy to suppress the toxin. At the same time, he urgently instructed Qingfeng,
“I—yes, yes, I’ll go find the Second Miss Mu right away. You protect him.”
Qingfeng, witnessing the master teetering on the brink of eruption, hesitated. Though he wished to stay and assist Bai Yu in stabilizing the master’s chaotic energy, he knew Bai Yu’s medical expertise might offer a solution. Reluctantly, he nodded and dashed out, calling back,
“If anything happens to the master, go find the Second Miss Mu immediately. We brothers will assist Bai Yu.”
Soon, within the Ji Manor, Qingfeng stood with two others—one dressed in green robes, the other in fine attire. After hearing his report, their expressions darkened. Exchanging nods, they swiftly departed, while Qingfeng turned toward the Mu residence.
Unbeknownst to them, in a secluded corner of the Ji Manor, a shadowy figure peeked out.
“It seems Leng Mingye’s poison has flared up. I must hurry back and inform the master.”
The figure, a servant with a deep and inscrutable aura, slipped quietly out through the manor’s rear gate.
“Miss Hongyan, I beg you—let me see your mistress. It’s urgent!”
Qingfeng soon arrived at the Mu residence, only to be blocked by Hongyan the moment he stepped into Wanqing’s courtyard. Their disagreement quickly escalated into a skirmish. As Qingfeng dodged her strikes, he pleaded anxiously,
“My mistress has ordered that anyone from your manor be driven out on sight. Besides, it’s not even dawn yet. How can you and your master cause such a ruckus in our courtyard? Can’t you let people rest?”
Honglian, barely asleep, was roused by the commotion outside. Frustrated by the late-night disturbance, she had no choice but to wake Wanqing, who—having spent the earlier hours treating Prince Ning’s leg and dealing with Leng Mingye’s antics—was in no mood for interruptions.
With rising irritation, Wanqing snapped at Honglian, “Tell them if anyone from that manor shows up again, throw them out immediately!”
“Miss Hongyan, I’ll call you sister—please, just inform your mistress that my master is on the verge of death. Ask her to come see him!”
Desperate, Qingfeng continued to dodge Hongyan’s attacks, his voice strained with urgency.
“On the verge of death? Don’t make me laugh. Your master was perfectly fine earlier—issuing commands and even trying to kill my mistress. Now you claim he’s dying? Leave, or I won’t hold back!”
Hongyan scoffed, recalling the earlier conflicts. Though her mistress was enigmatic and difficult to please, she hadn’t actually harmed Leng Mingye—despite her threats to strip him naked and dump him at the Ji Manor’s gates. Instead, she’d ordered him sent home.
This suggested there was no true enmity between them. Yet, this man kept causing trouble all night. Qingfeng’s words were hard to believe. With a mocking tone, Hongyan raised her sword in warning.
“I must see your mistress today. If you keep blocking me, don’t blame me for what happens next!”
Frustrated by Hongyan’s stubbornness, Qingfeng stepped forward defiantly.
“You—!”
Another clash ensued. Though angered, Qingfeng had no intention of harming Hongyan. She, however, was genuinely furious—her blade slicing Qingfeng’s shoulder.
“I won’t fight back. If killing me eases your anger—and your mistress’s—then do it. Just deliver my message afterward. I, Qingfeng, am willing to die for this.”
Staggering back from the pain, Qingfeng let his sword clatter to the ground. Seeing Hongyan’s shock and hesitation, he gritted his teeth and stepped forward again, pressing his body toward her blade.
“Enough! Have you no decency? Can’t you let people sleep? Honglian, fetch my dagger. I’ll silence these nuisances myself!”
Wanqing had initially ignored the disturbance, assuming Qingfeng would leave. But the commotion only grew louder. Unable to sleep, she finally rose, flinging the door open with a frosty glare.
“Second Miss Mu, I know there’s been misunderstanding between my master and you. But I beg you—my master is poisoned and near death. I shouldn’t have disturbed you so late, but if killing me eases your anger, do it. Just—after my death, please go see him. He’s in the cold spring beneath Chunxiang Lake.”
Meeting Wanqing’s icy expression, Qingfeng swallowed his pride. His master had already suffered at her hands, and though he resented her indifference, he had no choice but to plead. Bowing deeply, he exposed his neck, ready for her judgment.
(To be continued…)
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