As Prince Ji spoke, he motioned for someone to fetch the consultation fee for him. He then turned to greet Honglian before simply picking up his medicine box and leaving.
“Your Highness is too kind. Wanqing came to treat the princess consort only because she once owed a debt of gratitude to the young master. Now, she has repaid that debt. This prescription should be taken once in the morning and once in the evening. In seven days, the princess consort will naturally recover. There’s no need to see us off, Your Highness. Honglian, let’s go.”
“This…” Prince Ji was taken aback. She had worked so hard to save someone, and despite their earlier disrespect toward her, she showed no anger and even refused payment. Though he didn’t understand what had transpired between this girl and his son, or why she claimed to owe him a debt, he instinctively tried to stop her. But she had already walked away, leaving him to glance helplessly at his beloved son.
“Father, since Miss Mu has said so, you may keep the silver. I’ll see her out…”
Leng Mingye gritted his teeth in frustration. Seeing his father still trying to stop her, his handsome brows furrowed slightly as he rose and headed outside.
“Girl, stop right there.”
Once they reached the courtyard, Leng Mingye could no longer contain his anger and displeasure. He strode forward, grabbing her arm to halt her steps, his voice icy.
“Young Master, what is this? Wanqing has already said there will be no further ties between us. Have you gone back on your word?”
Pulled to a stop, Wanqing turned to face him. His eyes burned with agitation, and though she recalled Qingfeng’s words—that perhaps this man’s actions held deeper meaning—she steeled herself. Knowing that he might be among those she had to oppose, she met his gaze coolly and tried to pull her hand free.
Her aloofness, the clear apology in her eyes, yet the unmistakable coldness and distance—Leng Mingye couldn’t fathom what he had done to provoke such a reaction.
With his status, he could have any woman he desired. Yet this girl remained so detached, stirring an inexplicable frustration and resentment within him.
“Miss Mu, is this a case of playing hard to get? If your intention was to capture my attention, you’ve succeeded. I’ll find a way to have Sun Fengyu break off your engagement. I’ll marry you myself. After all, there’s nothing left undone between us…”
His lips curled into a smirk, exuding an air of wicked charm. He stepped closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders to turn her toward him, his tone light but deliberate.
“Young Master, you overestimate yourself. Wanqing could have any man she desires—let alone someone like you. As for what happened before, I’ve made it clear: had it not been you, any man would have sufficed. My actions stem from utter disdain for you. A grown man, yet so petty, so calculating, so arrogant. A man like you is beneath my notice, let alone your title of young master’s consort. Have some self-respect.”
As she spoke, Honglian cast her a puzzled glance before retreating discreetly. Left alone with him, Wanqing calmly removed his hand from her shoulder, her gaze steady and unreadable.
His eyes darkened, the arrogance in them intensifying. He released her shoulder but seized her wrist instead, his grip so tight it felt as though he meant to crush it. The fury in his eyes was unmistakable. Though the pain made her inhale sharply, she maintained her composure, silently warning him that further aggression would be met with resistance.
“You provoked me, and now you think you can walk away unscathed? Not a chance.”
Her cold words and furrowed brow only fueled his turmoil at the thought of her severing all ties with him. As she tried to wrench free, he scoffed in frustration, leaning in to wrap his arms around her waist, preventing her escape.
“Wanqing has no time for such games. If you insist on harassing me, don’t blame me for what comes next…”
Seeing him resort to force, she grew incensed—not only because they were in Prince Ji’s mansion, where prying eyes might lurk, but also because of his insufferable arrogance. She caught his wrist as it reached for her waist, pressing a silver needle against his arm.
“Fine, Mu Wanqing. Since you refuse to save face, don’t blame me for warning you. Today, I won’t stop you. But if you walk out of this mansion now, from this moment on, we are sworn enemies. Not just you—your entire Marquis’s household will be my target.”
The sight of the needle poised against his arm made his blood boil. No matter his threats or warnings, she remained unmoved. With a furious glare, he shoved her away.
“Then let me make myself clear: if you have a grudge, take it out on me. But if you dare harm anyone in my household, you’ll regret it. Let’s go.”
His arrogance infuriated her. The force of his push sent her stumbling back, and had Honglian not steadied her, she would have fallen. Regaining her balance, she met his gaze defiantly before turning to leave with Honglian.
“Damn it…”
Helpless to stop her, Leng Mingye clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. He lashed out at a nearby tree, his punch snapping the trunk clean in half.
“Lunatic.”
Hearing the commotion, Wanqing glanced back. Seeing the shattered tree, she scoffed under her breath and walked away.
“What are you all doing here?”
As she and Honglian reached the mansion’s gates, they spotted Chunlan, Xiazhu, and Qingfeng’s brothers pushing Prince Ning forward from a corner. Surprised, she frowned slightly at them.
“Miss, we…”
Chunlan and Xiazhu exchanged uneasy glances, lowering their heads under her questioning gaze.
“They were worried something might happen to you at Prince Ji’s mansion, so they came to me. Are you all right?”
Prince Ning intervened, his tone gentle.
“I’m fine…”
Wanqing smiled faintly, though she instinctively tugged her sleeve to cover the red marks on her wrist from Leng Mingye’s grip.
“What happened to your wrist? Let me see. Was it Prince Ji—or Leng Mingye? Tell me, and I’ll demand answers from them both.”
Despite her subtle movement, Prince Ning noticed. Seizing her wrist, his expression darkened at the sight of the bruising.
“It’s nothing. Just an accident. Brother Ning, there’s something I’d like your help with…”
She withdrew her hand, smoothing her sleeve. Though Prince Ning’s frown remained, his gaze icy as it lingered on the mansion, she tugged his sleeve playfully, her tone softening.
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