As he regained consciousness, everyone present let out a long sigh of relief.
“Are you awake?” Seeing the man before her conscious yet utterly bewildered, Wan Qing couldn’t help but chuckle and pat his shoulder as she asked.
“Where… where am I? You…” Liu Yufeng’s dazed and unfocused pupils gradually sharpened. Instinctively questioning, he realized he was in an unfamiliar place and looked around in surprise. When his gaze settled on Wan Qing’s calm, smiling face, memories of what had happened before he lost consciousness flooded back, filling his eyes with astonishment and wariness as he regarded her.
“If we hadn’t done this, how could Prince Ning and I have rescued you from the palace? I owe you an apology for the earlier coldness and distance…”
Seeing his confusion and the guarded, unfamiliar expression that followed, Wan Qing sighed helplessly and explained.
“To save you, my lady sacrificed a fake-death pill and a life-extending elixir. Otherwise, how could she and His Highness Prince Ning have rescued you without arousing the Emperor’s suspicion?”
Despite Wan Qing’s explanation, Liu Yufeng still wore a look of disbelief and estrangement. Unable to stand his attitude, Hong Lian, thinking of the risks their masters had taken to save him, boldly spoke up again.
“A fake-death pill? So you gave me that, then used a life-extending elixir to revive me? But where is this place? I…”
Finally understanding the situation, Liu Yufeng was still shocked by the girl’s mastery of medicine and poison. Recalling the circumstances, he remained skeptical until Wan Qing and Prince Ning nodded in confirmation. Only then did he exhale deeply, glancing around the unfamiliar surroundings.
“This is Prince Ning’s residence. You’re safe now. By the way, how did you end up in such danger in the palace? What exactly happened?”
Relieved that he seemed to accept the truth, Wan Qing smiled reassuringly. Though she had already guessed most of it, she still asked with curiosity.
“Ah, this matter… it’s my fault for meddling. The Crown Prince had warned me to focus solely on treating the Emperor and avoid interfering in anything else. But I… I…”
Liu Yufeng sighed regretfully, recalling his unintended discovery and his own recklessness.
“What’s done is done. Regret won’t change anything. I can see it was unintentional. But I think I can guess—did you discover that the Emperor poisoned Leng Mingye, which led to his attempt on your life?”
Seeing his remorse, Wan Qing comforted him before lowering her voice to ask.
“You…” Startled that she had pieced it together so easily, Liu Yufeng hesitated, looking at them uneasily.
“We only stumbled upon you being chased and overheard your argument with those guards. So, the Crown Prince already knew the Emperor poisoned him? But why would the Emperor do such a thing? Do you know?”
Noting Liu Yufeng’s shock and hesitation, Prince Ning, recalling Wan Qing’s earlier suspicions, explained and pressed for answers.
“I’m not sure. Leng Mingye sought me out to treat the Emperor but warned me beforehand to ensure the Emperor’s condition improved slightly—never fully. He also told me to ignore anything else I might see. But this morning, after administering acupuncture, I noticed a drawer in the Emperor’s study containing incense—the same kind you once mentioned was linked to the poison in Leng Mingye’s system…”
Realizing he couldn’t hide the truth, Liu Yufeng knew he was now a “dead man” in the eyes of the Great Ming Empire. Meeting Leng Mingye again would be perilous. Though unsure if they could be trusted, he owed them his life and decided to confide in them.
“Are you certain the incense was the same poison affecting Leng Mingye?”
Wan Qing pressed cautiously.
“At first, I wasn’t sure. I only caught a whiff of it by chance—just like the scent you described before. I didn’t act immediately. The next morning, during the Emperor’s acupuncture session, I used a needle to briefly render him unconscious and took a stick of the incense to examine. To my shock, its properties matched the poison I’d detected in Leng Mingye…”
Though reluctant to admit his recklessness, Liu Yufeng recounted his actions in the palace.
“Only someone as foolish as you would take an entire stick to study. No wonder you were caught!” Wan Qing couldn’t help but laugh. For someone reputed to be the Medicine Elder’s top disciple, his approach was shockingly naive.
Hong Lian joined in teasing him.
“I know it was reckless and stupid. I just wanted to study it quickly and return it. But today, after another acupuncture session, as I tried to put it back while the Emperor rested, he thanked me for my treatment—though his condition hadn’t improved, he claimed to feel better. He dismissed me, but as I left, his guards ambushed me from behind, striking me down…”
Embarrassed by his own audacity, Liu Yufeng recounted the events leading to his near-death.
“The rest, I think we can guess. But why would the Emperor harm Leng Mingye? Prince Ning, what do you think?”
Wan Qing smiled faintly, turning to Prince Ning for his thoughts.
“I’m equally puzzled. The Ji Prince and his son have always been Father’s most trusted advisors—evident from his entrusting them to find physicians privately. Why would he poison Leng Mingye? Brother Liu, rest here for now. Once you’ve recovered, we’ll contact the Crown Prince to arrange your safe departure from the capital.”
Equally baffled by his father’s motives, Prince Ning frowned slightly. Not wishing to speculate further in front of Liu Yufeng, he reassured him before dismissing the servants and stepping outside with Wan Qing.
“Brother Ning, do you think the Emperor fears the Crown Prince’s influence has grown too great, prompting him to act?”
Following her brother outside, Wan Qing watched his pensive stance. Though he said nothing, she sensed his concern for the empire’s stability. Dismissing the attendants, she voiced her sudden suspicion.
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