“Tick, tock.” The only sound in the cold pool was the dripping of water from the walls. Everyone present wore grave expressions. Though she hadn’t spoken of Leng Mingye’s condition, the other two in white—Bei Xiao and Bai Yu—watched the scene with solemn faces.
Only after an hour had passed did the color and breathing of Leng Mingye in the pool gradually stabilize. Wan Qing finally withdrew her hand. Though she had only cut a single finger to let blood, the prolonged blood loss left her feeling weak and drained.
Yet the toxins in the man before her remained unsubdued. She closed her eyes briefly, fighting off the dizziness, and continued to carefully apply acupuncture needles to his body.
After another hour of effort, she finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Wiping the sweat from her brow with her sleeve, she turned to them and said, “The symptoms of the poison have been temporarily suppressed, but the toxins in his body haven’t been cleared. Since I’m not entirely sure what kind of poison this is, let him rest for now. If the poison flares up again, give him this pill to suppress it temporarily. Remember, under no circumstances should anyone try to use inner energy to suppress the poison—it will only worsen his condition. I’ll take my leave now. No need to see me out.”
With that, Wan Qing took a porcelain bottle from her sleeve and handed it to Bai Yu, then turned to leave.
“Second Miss Mu, let me escort you,” Bai Yu said as she took a step forward. Though she was still standing, her unsteady posture was evident. Seeing that his master’s condition had improved significantly, he stepped forward and supported her arm, looking at her with concern.
“Alright. Thank you for your trouble.”
Grateful for Bai Yu’s assistance, Wan Qing thanked him softly, gently pushing away his support and forcing herself to stand straight. With a faint smile, she took a step forward.
“Master’s complexion and breathing have finally stabilized. It seems Second Miss Mu’s medical skills are truly remarkable.”
As Bai Yu and Wan Qing departed, Bei Xiao stepped forward to help Leng Mingye lie back on the nearby bed. Checking his pulse and observing his calm expression, he murmured in gratitude, recalling how even their combined efforts had been futile, yet Wan Qing had managed to suppress the poison.
Moreover, his master’s pulse was now steadier than before. Deeply moved by Wan Qing’s intervention, he whispered his thanks.
“Second Miss Mu, are you alright? You don’t look well.”
Bai Yu and Wan Qing emerged from the lake’s depths, passing through the pavilion where Nan Zhu still stood. Wan Qing ignored him entirely, while Bai Yu cast him a sympathetic glance before following her to the lakeside railing at the end of the corridor. Though dawn had just broken, Wan Qing’s pallor was concerning, prompting Bai Yu to ask worriedly, “Are you alright?”
“I’ll live. Bai Yu, there’s something I’d like to ask of you. When your master wakes, don’t tell him I was the one who saved him. Just say you happened upon someone from the Medicine Valley who intervened in time. That’s all. No need to see me further.”
Wan Qing’s tone was light as she addressed Bai Yu’s concern. Turning to face him seriously, she waited until he nodded in reluctant agreement before offering him a faint smile and walking away.
“It seems Second Miss Mu isn’t as heartless as she appears. She’s just too proud. In that way, she’s quite similar to our master—no wonder they’re such a pair of adversaries. But will they ever reconcile? Sigh. I should go check on Master.”
Bai Yu watched Wan Qing’s slow retreating figure until she disappeared from sight, then sighed deeply and turned back.
“Miss, what’s wrong? You look terrible! I thought you were still in your room this morning—where did you go so early?”
Wan Qing walked weakly until full daylight, when the streets began to fill with people, before finally reaching the manor.
As soon as she entered, Hong Lian rushed forward. Seeing her pale face and unsteady gait, she hurried to support her, bombarding her with worried questions.
“I forgot there was one last step in treating Prince Ning’s leg. When I woke up and saw none of you were up yet, I rushed out. I just pushed myself too hard, that’s all. I’ll be fine after some rest. Go attend to your duties and don’t disturb me—I need to rest properly. After such a night, even sleeping feels like a struggle. I’m exhausted.”
Leaning on Hong Lian’s arm, Wan Qing spoke weakly. Noticing her maid’s lingering concern, she sighed tiredly and turned to her room.
“Where did Miss go so early in the morning? How did she end up looking so ill?”
Hong Lian watched her leave, puzzled and sighing softly before returning to her tasks. When she brought tea and breakfast to Wan Qing’s outer chamber, she called softly, “Miss? Miss?”
After waiting a moment with no response, she cautiously entered, whispering at the door, “Miss, if you don’t answer, I’m coming in.”
Still hearing nothing, she frowned and pushed the door open.
“Miss, your face is so pale, and your pulse is so weak… Sigh, is all this effort really worth it?”
Hong Lian approached the bed, her heart aching at the sight of Wan Qing’s frail, pallid face. Muttering to herself, she took a towel and gently wiped her mistress’s face.
After fetching fresh water and returning to find Wan Qing still unconscious, Hong Lian glanced around cautiously. Ensuring no one was watching, she closed the door and returned to the bedside.
Calling Wan Qing’s name softly and shaking her slightly yielded no response. Taking a deep breath, Hong Lian reached out with trembling hands toward her neck.
Just as she carefully tugged at Wan Qing’s collar, the sleeping woman’s eyes snapped open. With a cold glare and a silver needle pressed to Hong Lian’s wrist, Wan Qing demanded sharply, “What are you searching for on me?”
“I—Miss, I—”
Hong Lian stammered, frozen under Wan Qing’s icy stare and the needle at her chest.
“Speak. Don’t force me to resort to harsher methods. I know about your meeting with Bai Nianling in the manor that night. What did she tell you to do?”
Though puzzled by Hong Lian’s actions, Wan Qing’s suspicion flared at the memory of her maid’s strange behavior that night. Her voice was cold as she pressed for answers.
(To be continued.)
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage