“I, Baigu, don’t be like this. Calm down, calm down. I… I always thought I was just the child of a concubine in the Marquis’s household, but now you’re telling me that I’m actually siblings with Prince Ning? This…”
Baigu’s reaction left Wanqing both shocked and astonished. Despite her many experiences in her past life and her strong mental resilience, the current situation still left her mind in chaos. She found it hard to believe and muttered in disbelief.
“Yes, you are siblings. Young miss, now that we’ve found you, this item should be returned to its rightful owner. Please keep it safe and assist Prince Ning. With the combined strength of siblings, you can confront those with ulterior motives—even those who harmed Her Highness back then.”
Wanqing’s words made Baigu sigh softly as she looked at her. Then, Baigu turned and went inside, returning shortly with an object, which she placed in Wanqing’s hand.
It was a green jade token adorned with a dragon motif. Staring at it in surprise, Wanqing couldn’t help but ask, “This…?”
“This is the token of Linglong Pavilion, entrusted to me by Her Highness to be given to you, young miss. Now that I see your extraordinary skills and capabilities, I can rest assured in handing it over. I only hope you will support Prince Ning well.”
Baigu’s explanation deepened Wanqing’s astonishment.
“Is this… the legendary Dragon-Tiger Token?” she murmured.
She couldn’t help but reflect on her current identity—merely a low-born daughter of the Marquis’s household. The Mu family, though holding a noble title, was not particularly distinguished, having inherited their status through ancestral favor. The way Marquis Mu Zhenfeng behaved and handled matters made that abundantly clear.
Yet this token could supposedly help Prince Ning achieve great things. Recalling the intentions of Lady Liu and the black-clad man who had sought something from her, Wanqing felt a chill run down her spine. She traced the jade token in her hand and whispered, “So this is it…”
“You could say that. Linglong Pavilion not only has businesses and connections across all trades in the Great Ming but also wields influence in the martial world. Possessing this token grants power nearly equal to half the imperial court. However, with Prince Ning now crippled, we can only bide our time despite our ambitions.”
Baigu, though unsure how Wanqing knew of the token, spoke with confidence. Yet, as she recalled Her Highness’s instructions and the current state of affairs, her expression darkened with sorrow.
“So that’s how it is. No wonder people have been targeting me lately, even threatening me in secret to get this. Don’t worry, Baigu. I have a way to heal Prince Ning’s legs. In a few months, you’ll hear good news. As for my mother—Her Highness Consort Hui—do you know how she died?”
Wanqing finally understood the reason behind the repeated schemes and threats she had faced since her transmigration. She accepted the token without hesitation and reassured them confidently about Prince Ning’s condition. But when she mentioned Consort Hui, recalling Prince Ning’s grief and Leng Mingye’s sorrowful expression when she had inquired about her, she couldn’t help but press for answers.
“To be honest, I don’t know the full truth. After Her Highness gave birth to you, she ordered me to leave the palace immediately to handle matters here, instructing all her hidden forces in Daqi to go into hiding. By the time I returned, she had been poisoned, clutching a dead infant in her arms—one that wasn’t you. We tried to smuggle her out to Daqi for treatment, but the Empress intercepted us with assassins. To preserve Her Highness’s hidden forces for you and Prince Ning, we had no choice but to retreat. When we finally managed to sneak back into the palace, Her Highness had already passed away.”
Baigu looked at Wanqing, whose resemblance to her late mistress was uncanny—her delicate features carrying the same mix of innocence and sharp wit. Moved by her composure and all she had heard about her, Baigu’s eyes welled with tears as she spoke. Her sorrow spread, and the others present also bowed their heads, wiping their eyes.
“Don’t worry, Baigu. From now on, don’t stand on ceremony with me. Just call me Qing’er, like Prince Ning does. I will uncover the truth about my mother’s death. Whoever harmed her will pay—I won’t let a single one escape.”
Seeing Baigu and the others, all much older than her, weeping, Wanqing realized they must have been close to her mother. Recalling everything she knew, she comforted them earnestly. But when she thought of her mother—a woman of almost mythical grace—her eyes turned icy with resolve.
By the time she left Linglong Pavilion, it was nearly dark.
“Alright, Baigu, there’s no need to see me off. With them and Honglian protecting me, I’ll be fine. You take care of yourself too. Leave my mother’s death and Prince Ning’s affairs to me. Just focus on running Linglong Pavilion as before. Let’s go.”
Wanqing departed with Honglian and four other maids—Chunlan, Xiazhu, Qiuju, and Dongmei—whom Baigu had assigned as her personal guards.
Considering Honglian’s exceptional martial skills despite her background as a dancer, Wanqing guessed the others were no less capable. When Baigu insisted on escorting her out, Wanqing stopped her with a firm but gentle refusal.
“Very well. If you encounter any trouble, young miss, just send them to find me.”
Baigu relented, offering final instructions before finally waving them off and turning away.
“Let’s go.”
With Baigu gone, Wanqing led the other maids onward.
Though none matched Honglian’s bewitching beauty, each possessed a unique charm, living up to their floral names in both appearance and demeanor.
Upon returning to the Marquis’s estate—
“Young miss, you’re back! The Madam came looking for you earlier. She said the eldest young miss has been poisoned and demanded you see her at once—”
No sooner had Wanqing introduced her new maids to Wanxia and Xiantao than Wanxia delivered the unsettling news.
Thinking of Lady Liu and Mu Wanxia’s proficiency in poisons, Wanqing found it hard to believe they’d fall victim so easily—let alone seek her help when they could treat themselves. Skeptical, she arched a brow. “Poisoned?”
“Yes, Second Young Miss. Should we go and check?”
Wanxia hesitated, aware of the enmity between them, yet still uneasy about ignoring the matter.
“No. After everything that woman and her daughter have done to me, it’s mercy enough that I haven’t poisoned them myself. Expecting me to save them? Delusional. Tell them I’m busy. If they want treatment, they can summon a physician. Otherwise, they might as well prepare a coffin.”
Wanqing’s lips curled into a cold smile as she dismissed the idea. Turning away, she led her maids inside without another glance.
“But Second Young Miss—! Ah… never mind. Let’s go report to the Master and Madam.”
Wanxia tried to protest, but Wanqing had already shut the door behind her. Left with no choice, she exchanged a resigned look with Xiantao before leaving to relay the message.
(To be continued.)
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