Leng Mingye pondered the news about the Mu family’s incident, which involved several corpses.
Qing Feng had gone to investigate but only brought back trivial information. His elegant phoenix-like brows furrowed slightly. Though he still held his cup, the slight crease in his brow betrayed his tension and concern. “Get to the point,” he said.
“The main point is, in the end, Mu Zhenfeng was poisoned, and the Second Miss of the Mu family was injured…”
His master had been unusually quiet these past few days, which Qing Feng didn’t quite understand. Seeing his master’s keen interest in the Mu family’s affairs, Qing Feng hesitated but finally met his gaze and spoke.
“Injured? How serious?”
His thoughts drifted to that defiant little woman, especially recalling how she had collapsed into his arms during the Grand Princess’s birthday celebration. The cold resentment in her eyes as she looked at him made his heart feel as if it were being torn apart.
For days, he had been lost in thought, trying to understand what he truly felt for her.
He had always treated her well, yet she not only failed to appreciate it but acted as if he were some kind of monster. He couldn’t comprehend it. Thinking of her arrogance and audacity, he told himself:
*She’s just a lowborn daughter of a marquis’ household—what does she matter? I, Leng Mingye, am the illustrious heir of the Ji Prince’s Manor, commanding half the military forces in the capital and the court. What woman couldn’t I have?*
Yet, upon hearing she was injured, his heart skipped a beat. Suppressing his emotions, he couldn’t help but ask, “How serious?”
“I’m not sure… Master, it’s time for the morning court session.”
Seeing his master’s obvious concern for the Second Miss of the Mu family, yet repeatedly clashing with her, Qing Feng was genuinely puzzled. Noticing the late hour, he hesitantly reminded him.
“Fine. Let’s go to court.”
Qing Feng’s reminder made Leng Mingye realize his own unnecessary concern. Though he couldn’t explain the worry gnawing at him, the thought of still caring for that little woman irritated him. He drained his cup in frustration and stood to leave.
After the morning court session, Leng Mingye noticed the weary-looking Prince Ning. His leg seemed to have improved, and he was walking alongside Song Ziqian and Wang Wenting.
As they passed by, their hushed conversation suggested they were heading to the Mu residence.
“Very well, I’ll wait for you at the Mu residence. And Qing’er is currently resting—if you bring others, please keep it quiet. I’ll take my leave first.”
Though their voices were low, Leng Mingye heard clearly. He didn’t understand how that girl had grown so close to Prince Ning, or even Song Ziqian and Wang Wenting. Hearing they were all going, and recalling Qing Feng’s report of her injury, he quickened his steps to catch up.
“Your Highness, Prince Ning, you seem in high spirits now that your leg has healed. May I ask where you gentlemen are headed?”
Prince Ning turned at his approach and offered a polite smile in greeting. Leng Mingye returned the gesture with a nod and feigned casual curiosity.
“Ah, nothing much. Just visiting a friend.”
Though Leng Mingye had once seemed friendly toward his sister, his true allegiance was unclear. Considering the Grand Princess’s stance and past conflicts between him and his sister, Prince Ning responded with a vague smile.
“Is that so? Since it’s Your Highness’s friend, might I join you? Now that your leg is healed, I’d like to meet the master who cured it…”
Leng Mingye chuckled lightly, feigning humility as if seeking medical advice.
“Young Master Leng, you look perfectly healthy. Is the Princess Consort still unwell?”
Prince Ning inwardly scoffed at Leng Mingye’s pretense. Knowing full well that his sister was the only one capable of treating his mother, he countered with a faint smile.
“No, my mother has improved greatly. It’s just that I recently met someone—Liu Yufeng of the Medicine Valley, the first disciple of the Medicine Elder. I recall the Second Miss of the Mu family once mentioned she was also the Medicine Elder’s disciple. I wonder if she was referring to the same person.”
Seeing Prince Ning’s reluctance to engage, Leng Mingye smoothly shifted the topic.
“Really? What a coincidence. I wouldn’t know—you’d have to ask the Second Miss yourself. It’s hardly my concern. I have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
Prince Ning smiled faintly, clearly uninterested in further conversation. With a wave, he turned and left.
*That damned girl. Just how capable are you?*
Watching Prince Ning depart, Leng Mingye thought of the supposed master from the Medicine Valley. Truthfully, that person had been powerless against the poison he had accidentally ingested. The memory fueled his silent rage as he muttered under his breath and turned away.
When Prince Ning arrived at the Mu residence, Mu Zhenfeng and Xing’er had already awakened. After a brief exchange, he headed to his sister’s quarters, only to hear from Wan Chun at the door that Sun Fengyu had come to visit.
“What does he want? Tell him Qing’er has no wish to see him—now or ever. He should abandon this delusion.”
The thought that those who had attacked Mu Zhenfeng might have been targeting his sister filled Prince Ning with fury. His disdain for the Empress’s faction deepened as he coldly instructed Wan Chun.
Despite his orders, Sun Fengyu shamelessly forced his way in. Though Prince Ning had made his stance clear, Mu Zhenfeng, unwilling to offend him, reluctantly escorted him inside.
Sun Fengyu strode in with the air of a nouveau riche, instructing his servants to deposit a pile of healing and nourishing gifts.
Seeing Prince Ning emerge from behind the screen, flanked by Chun Lan and Xia Zhu, Sun Fengyu’s anger flared uncontrollably at the sight of the prince monopolizing Wan Qing.
“Marquis, I heard of Qing’er’s injury and came to see her. Prince Ning, I never expected you to have ulterior motives even while your leg was injured. Now that you’re healed, you’re coveting my betrothed? Are you using your royal status to bully an outsider like me?”
As he spoke to Mu Zhenfeng, he simultaneously sneered at Prince Ning.
“And what if I am? You, Young Master Sun, never showed the slightest interest in the Second Miss before. Now you cling to her so desperately. One might suspect you have other motives.”
Prince Ning’s retort was laced with disdain. The thought of this man, who relied on his family’s connections to throw his weight around, daring to vie for his sister’s affection disgusted him.
“You—! Your Highness, don’t forget that the Empress has already issued an edict. Even if you have feelings for Qing’er, and she for you, as long as the Empress’s decree stands, she remains my Sun family’s betrothed. You’ll never have her.”
Sun Fengyu hadn’t expected Prince Ning to confront him so boldly. Though the prince had once been formidable, years of seclusion had weakened his influence at court—far from matching the Empress’s faction.
The idea that Prince Ning would dare snatch the woman promised to him by imperial decree enraged Sun Fengyu. His handsome face darkened as he glared at the prince’s mocking smile.
*This is my greatest advantage. With the Mu family’s prestige and standing at court, I refuse to believe this girl would dare openly break the engagement. Even if she wanted to, she’d never get past me—let alone my aunt, the Empress.*
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