“Don’t speak. Calm your mind and focus. I’ll help suppress the pain for you.” Wanqing’s attempt to protest was met with a glance from Prince Ning, whose striking phoenix eyes softened as he spoke. He continued channeling his inner energy into her body.
Though Wanqing was filled with confusion and countless questions, the sight of this handsome, gentle man—so familiar and comforting, like an elder brother from her childhood—strangely put her at ease. She let her guard down and slowly closed her eyes.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Wanqing’s complexion finally improved, and the furrow of pain between her brows eased slightly.
“Thank you, Your Highness, Prince Ning.”
Her long lashes fluttered as she gradually opened her eyes. Seeing Prince Ning sigh softly and withdraw his hand, she lay back with the support of Chunhong and expressed her gratitude.
“There’s no need for formalities, Second Miss Mu. Are you feeling better?” Prince Ning responded lightly, his tone laced with concern.
“Much better. Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. You…”
Wanqing nodded faintly in reply to his question. In that brief moment, she had also recalled the poison within her. She remembered reading about it in the secret records of the Tang Sect—a toxin called *Mídiéxiāng* (Misty Fragrance).
This poison left no trace in one’s pulse. Its incubation period lasted at least ten years, and the victim would initially feel nothing. As the toxin spread, symptoms would gradually emerge—first a dull ache in the chest, then pain throughout the body, until every limb felt as though countless ants were crawling beneath the skin. Eventually, the flesh would dissolve, turning into bloody water.
Judging by the timeline she knew, the poison must have been administered when she was very young, otherwise she wouldn’t be experiencing chest pains now.
According to the records, from the onset of symptoms to complete dissolution, the victim would live no more than six months.
To think that someone had poisoned her when she was only four or five years old—and with such a ruthless, agonizing toxin, one that left no trace of the victim behind. What kind of malice could drive someone to do this to a child? What kind of grudge could they possibly hold?
No matter who the poisoner was or what their motives might be, Wanqing resolved that if she ever encountered them, she would not let them go. But first, she had to find a way to neutralize the poison. Otherwise, even if she sought revenge, she might not live long enough to find the culprit.
Prince Ning’s voice pulled her from her thoughts, and she answered instinctively. When she refocused, she noticed his slender, elegant fingers—more refined than a woman’s—holding the jade pendant at her neck, the one Old Granny Liu had said was left to her by her mother. Recalling Qingfeng’s reaction upon seeing it, she couldn’t help but ask with suspicion,
Though he hadn’t said anything, she sensed he recognized the pendant.
“Second Miss Mu, who gave you this jade pendant?”
Sure enough, as soon as she spoke, Prince Ning responded.
“It was a gift from my mother, Your Highness…”
Facing this familiar, kind man, Wanqing saw no reason to hide the truth and answered honestly.
“Your mother?”
Prince Ning’s deep eyes fixed on her in disbelief.
“Yes, my mother. She was the second concubine of the Marquis of Jichang’s household. Your Highness, is there something wrong with the pendant?”
She nodded instinctively, then noticed his pensive expression as he studied the jade and couldn’t help but ask.
“Nothing’s wrong. But my own mother once gave a pendant like this to a sister of hers. Perhaps you are the person my mother asked me to find.”
At her question, Prince Ning smiled faintly, his warm gaze resting on her.
“Really? Then… does Your Highness know about my mother? Could you tell me something about her? The old servant who raised me, Granny Liu, said my mother passed away shortly after I was born. I…”
Prince Ning’s mother was none other than Consort Hui, the emperor’s most favored concubine. Though Consort Hui had reportedly died when Prince Ning was young, the emperor still mourned her deeply—evident from the special care he showed the prince.
Wanqing had once asked Granny Liu about her mother’s identity, but the old woman claimed not to know.
Now, hearing that Prince Ning recognized the pendant, Wanqing looked at him with hopeful eyes. Seeing his brows furrow slightly at her words, she felt a pang of loss but pressed on with her plea.
“Regarding your mother, even I don’t know much. I have a similar pendant—when I was young, I nearly lost it. One of my caretakers told me that my mother had given one to a sister of hers, and that this pendant would help me find her. But as for who your mother truly was, I cannot say.”
Seeing her anticipation, Prince Ning shared what little he knew, then produced a jade pendant from his own robes—identical in shape but with different engravings.
“I see… Then, may I ask why Consort Hui wanted you to find my mother?”
Wanqing hadn’t expected her mother to have any connection to Consort Hui. His words only deepened her curiosity.
“My mother never explained. She only asked me to take care of her. But now that I’ve found you, it seems fate has kept us apart. Don’t be sad, little one. From now on, I’ll be your elder brother. As long as I’m here, no one will dare harm you.”
Noticing her persistent interest in her origins, Prince Ning spoke gently. Seeing the sorrow in her eyes, he paused, then reached out to rest a comforting hand on her shoulder. When she looked up in surprise, he met her gaze with sincerity.
“Brother?”
Prince Ning’s words reminded Wanqing of her past life—alone, struggling, always strong but secretly longing for an elder brother who would protect and cherish her.
The warmth and affection in his eyes stirred something in her. Though she could hardly believe it, she murmured in wonder,
“Yes, your brother. From now on, I am your elder brother. And since you’ve called me that, how could I not give you a gift?”
He smiled, then unfastened a jade pendant from his waist and held it out to her.
“Here. With this token, no one will dare trouble you. It represents my authority. I once asked Qingfeng to give you a token from my household, but you refused. This one is far more useful.”
Wanqing hesitated, staring at the pendant resting in his pale, elegant hand. Though she was still puzzled, she recognized its value—with it, many doors would open for her.
Moreover, she couldn’t bear to disappoint the hopeful look in his eyes. With a faint smile, she reached out and accepted it, her fingers brushing against his.
Remembering the irregular pulse she had felt when their hands touched earlier, she couldn’t resist asking,
“Then… Brother Leng, has your leg been examined by physicians in recent years?”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage