“See that? This is the once-renowned grand scholar who openly denounced the current emperor’s tyranny and wrote a manifesto to rally against him. Yet for the sake of a mere pill, he abandoned his principles and now grovels at my feet, obedient as a dog. Humans—sometimes they’re just like this. So-called might makes right. You may have power, but without the ability to protect yourself, you’ll ultimately be controlled by those who do. The emperor? Hah! Does he really think he’s the emperor? Let’s see what tricks he has left up his sleeve.”
The man’s incessant bowing and pleading expression drew nothing but contempt from Yemei’s alluring eyes. With a cold chuckle, she paused and glanced at the scholar in the distance, who was still waving and smiling at them as they walked away.
Smirking, she turned to her companion, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Brother Ning, leave Aunt Xu to me. You needn’t worry.”
Back at the Mu residence, Wanqing immediately inquired about Aunt Xu’s condition from Honglian upon her return. Seeing her brother’s grave expression, she reassured him, “Then I’ll take my leave now. I visited the palace today—who knows if prying eyes noticed. Be careful, sister. Tomorrow, I’ll personally escort you to continue offering treatments for Grandmother’s headache.”
Though Aunt Xu remained in a childlike state, unresponsive and vacant, Ning Wang nodded confidently at his sister’s assurance. With a final nod, he departed, escorted by a maid.
“Lord Mu, are you home?”
Before Ning Wang could even leave the residence, a voice called from outside the front courtyard.
“Who is it? Uncle Zhong, go see who’s arrived.”
Startled by the unfamiliar voice, Mu Zhenfeng—still weakened from poisoning after the deaths of the Lius—halted. He motioned for the elderly steward to investigate while he hid behind a tree.
“Who’s there?” Uncle Zhong asked warily, opening the gate to reveal a striking figure clad in black, flanked by two guards. The man exuded an air of danger despite his refined appearance.
“I am Yemei, formerly of the Celestial Ascendancy. Hearing of Lord Mu’s recent illness, I wished to pay my respects. I happened to be passing by and thought to inquire after his health.”
Uncle Zhong, unfamiliar with the visitor, replied cautiously, “Our lord is indeed unwell and bedridden. Please wait here while I inform him.” He shut the gate and turned away.
“Hey—!” one of Yemei’s guards snapped at the steward’s abrupt dismissal.
Yemei raised a hand, smiling faintly. “Let the old man do his duty. We’ll wait patiently.”
“Uncle Zhong, wait!” Ning Wang, still concealed, intercepted the steward. “This man is dangerous. Stall him—lead him on a winding path through the courtyard. I’ll warn Wanqing and Lord Mu to prepare.”
As Uncle Zhong complied, Ning Wang hurried to Wanqing.
The news that the suspected murderer of their mother had arrived sent a chill through Wanqing. Her mind raced—why now? The only anomaly was the Lius’ skeletal remains. Knowing Yemei’s reputation as a master of poisons, she connected the dots.
“Could he be here because of the tampering with the Lius’ remains—or Father’s poisoning?” she murmured. “Honglian, go! Tell Father to stay in bed and take this pill. Stay calm—I’ll be there soon.”
Honglian, the swiftest among them, dashed off.
“I’ll prepare to meet him. Chunhong, stay behind. Chunlan and Xiazhu, come with me.” Wanqing rose, meeting her brother’s worried gaze. “Don’t fret. His motives are unclear, but I doubt he’s here to kill me.”
Though uneasy, Ning Wang knew his limitations in matters of poison. “Protect her,” he instructed the maids.
Wanqing smiled. “I’ll be careful.”
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