“I, brother, it’s you. Yes, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest, so I went to the pharmacy to get some medicine.”
The voice, along with the faint scent of vanilla that drifted into her nostrils, sent a chill through Wanqing’s heart. She thought to herself: Why is this guy here? Did he see me hitting someone on the street?
Her heart pounded with unease, but she turned around with a look of suspicion on her face.
Behind her stood a man dressed in a moon-white robe with gold and silver embroidery on the cuffs and collar, his dark hair tied up with a simple white jade hairpin. Despite the simplicity, it did nothing to diminish his noble aura—instead, it made him appear even more devilishly handsome.
Under the bright light, his strikingly handsome face was illuminated. Though Wanqing had long known he was good-looking, seeing him again still left her momentarily stunned.
Realizing she had been staring at his slightly curved lips in a daze, she scolded herself inwardly. It wasn’t as if she’d never seen a man before—why was she acting like a lovesick fool over this one? Suppressing her annoyance, the suspicion on her face faded, replaced by a bright smile as she held up the medicine packets in her hand.
“Oh, which doctor did you see?”
Cold Mingye’s deep, amused eyes watched her reaction. Hearing her words, he stepped forward, arms crossed, his gaze fixed intently on her face.
“Brother, it was just at the Huichun Hall over there…”
For some reason, his stare made Wanqing inexplicably nervous. She had just been hitting someone on the street not long ago, and now this guy had shown up at her doorstep. Though he was asking her questions, his eyes were scrutinizing her face with a probing intensity.
Being stared at by such a handsome and noble man was admittedly enjoyable, and she was confident in her medical skills. But the thought of his ruthless methods and what she had done to him made her feel an unwarranted panic. Forcing a smile, she averted her gaze and pointed to the pharmacy nearby.
“Huichun Hall? The doctors there can’t compare to the ones I’ve brought for you. Silly girl, this is Minister Xu, whom I specially summoned from the palace to examine you. Lead the way, little fool. What’s wrong? Are you too excited about the doctor I found for you, or are you too scared of Minister Xu to move?”
As Wanqing fell silent, Cold Mingye’s narrow, peach-blossom eyes narrowed further. He nodded, then turned to an elderly man in official robes standing behind Baiyu and Heifeng, who was carrying a medicine chest.
Seeing Wanqing’s troubled and bewildered expression, his smile widened. He patted her head lightly, his tone teasing but not entirely warm.
“So it’s Minister Xu! Please, come in. Brother, you actually found a doctor for me—I’m so happy! I thought you were just humoring me the other day…”
Cold Mingye’s words made her think of the trick she had pulled. While it might fool an outsider, Minister Xu, being a palace official, was likely a royal physician.
She had no idea why he had chosen this moment to bring a doctor, but despite her inner turmoil, she forced herself to appear composed. Holding the medicine packets, she bowed to Minister Xu and extended a flattering invitation.
Noticing the old man’s reserved nod—clearly out of deference to the man beside her—Wanqing understood his caution. As Cold Mingye led Minister Xu and the others forward, she suppressed her unease and followed with a feigned expression of delight.
The group strode boldly into the Marquis’s residence. The gatekeeper, spotting Cold Mingye, immediately panicked and rushed to inform the master and mistress.
“Silly girl, when have I ever lied to you? But remember—I despise deceit most of all. Don’t you dare lie to me, or else…”
Wanqing’s fawning smile earned her a gentle pat on the head from Cold Mingye, who then let his hand slide down to rest on the back of her neck. His voice was calm but carried an unspoken warning.
“Brother, how could I ever deceive you? You’re someone even Father wouldn’t dare cross. Brother, Father, Stepmother—you…”
The large hand on her neck sent a jolt of alarm through her. Had he really seen her on the street?
But she forced herself to stay composed, turning back with a strained smile. Just then, Mu Zhenfeng and Lady Liu hurried over, bowing obsequiously to Cold Mingye. Though inwardly disgusted by their sycophantic expressions, Wanqing politely greeted them.
Lady Liu’s face lit up at the sight of Cold Mingye, but her eyes flashed with suppressed anger when they landed on Wanqing.
Before Wanqing could even settle the score, the woman already seemed to resent her.
As Wanqing called out to them, she discreetly pinched her own thigh hard. Her voice was meek, but her gaze remained fixed on Lady Liu with unmistakable accusation.
“Young lady, what’s wrong? Didn’t you go out to buy things with the money I gave you? Why are you crying now? Who bullied you?”
Seeing Wanqing’s tearful stare, Lady Liu noticed Cold Mingye’s slight frown and realized the trouble this man could bring. Though seething inside, she forced a motherly smile and asked with feigned concern.
“Stepmother, you did give me money, but as soon as I stepped onto the street, I was robbed. All I have left are a few small coins—the hundreds of taels were stolen.”
Watching Lady Liu’s false concern, Wanqing sneered inwardly but let out a pitiful sob, playing the victim.
“Who? Who dares target our Marquis’s household? Child, don’t cry—I’ll just give you more money. There’s no need for such a fuss. You’re embarrassing yourself in front of the Young Master.”
Though inwardly pleased, Lady Liu pretended to be outraged and comforted her, reaching out to pat her shoulder. But Wanqing dodged behind Cold Mingye, wiping her tears and refusing the gesture. Lady Liu could only laugh awkwardly and fawn over Cold Mingye instead.
Cold Mingye remained silent, his expression unreadable.
“Young lady, it’s just a small matter. Must you cling to the Young Master like this? Come here…” Mu Zhenfeng, unnerved by the silence, broke into a cold sweat. Though the man had seemed protective of his daughter earlier, his unpredictable temper was notorious. Seeing Wanqing hiding behind him and even gripping his sleeve, Mu Zhenfeng grew anxious and scolded her, reaching out to pull her away.
“I won’t go! You all talk nicely, but who knows what you’re really thinking? Just like Stepmother—she gave me money, only to have someone rob me on the street. That was my life-saving money for the doctor…”
Seeing her father join in, Wanqing noticed the stiffness in Cold Mingye’s posture as she clung to his sleeve. But she stubbornly glared at her father and Lady Liu, playing the role of the wronged victim.
“What nonsense! When did I ever have someone rob you? This child—she’s been delirious since her illness the other day…”
Lady Liu’s smile widened as Cold Mingye and Mu Zhenfeng both turned sharp gazes on her. Panicking inwardly, she reached for Wanqing again.
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