“Dad, even if you beg me, there’s nothing I can do, because I never poisoned her in the first place. If you don’t trust me, even if I gave her the antidote, wouldn’t she fear I might take the chance to kill her instead?”
The old man clearly didn’t believe her. Though Wanqing appeared calm on the surface, an indescribable bitterness welled up inside her. Despite her efforts to suppress it, the emotion still moistened her eyes.
Only when her eyes grew wet did she realize it was the original owner’s consciousness acting up. She thought bitterly, *We’re both your daughters, yet you trust them and not me.*
Though resentful of her father’s favoritism, Wanqing forced back the tears threatening to spill and met his gaze with a cold retort.
“Sister, Father, please! I beg you, make Second Sister give the antidote quickly, or else my sister will really… Sister, what’s wrong? Don’t scare Jun’er like this, Sister…”
Seeing her sister convulsing in pain before her, Mu Wanjun knelt in terror, pleading with Mu Zhenfeng. Despite her frustration at Wanqing’s refusal to take the bait, she could no longer hold back. She clung to Mu Wanxia in feigned panic, whispering urgently under the guise of sobbing.
“Sister, she’s not falling for it. Take the antidote now, or you’ll really die.”
“Brother Qingfeng, could you do me a favor?”
Wanqing watched the sisters coldly. Though Wanjun wept, her lips moved with silent words. Smiling faintly, Wanqing turned to Qingfeng beside her.
“Speak.”
Qingfeng hadn’t expected things to escalate like this. Knowing Wanqing’s methods—how a single silver needle from her could bring unbearable agony—he doubted she’d resort to such crude tactics. Though he wished to help, he felt powerless until her request gave him an opening.
“Alright.”
After a quiet exchange, Qingfeng nodded and addressed Mu Zhenfeng.
“Marquis, perhaps it’s best to delay this matter for now. If the eldest young lady doesn’t receive medical attention soon, she may perish on the spot.”
“Yes, yes! Someone, call—” Mu Zhenfeng, overwhelmed by the scene—his eldest daughter pale and convulsing, his third daughter weeping over her—seized Qingfeng’s words like a lifeline and immediately called for servants.
“Wait.” Wanqing interrupted. “Father, if you summon a physician to cure her, I won’t object. But the accusation against me will remain unresolved. This pill in my hand is the Soul-Returning Elixir, gifted by Brother Mu Chengfeng. It can revive anyone with even a single breath left.”
As all eyes fixed on the dark pill in her hand, Wanqing turned to the sisters.
“Since they insist I poisoned her, let’s wait it out. With so many skilled martial artists here, she can be saved as long as she’s alive. Eldest Sister, care to test this theory with me?”
“Qing’er, I know you resent me, but I’m still your sister. How can you gamble with my life like this? Isn’t this—*cough*—”
Mu Wanxia had hoped to at least humiliate Wanqing, but her plan backfired. Though she carried the antidote, the thought of exposure made her cough weakly, feigning distress.
“Sister, what’s wrong? Second Sister, I beg you! Give her the antidote! She’s already admitted her mistake—Second Sister!”
Seeing the poison’s effects worsening, Wanjun shook her sister desperately, pleading with Wanqing.
“Jun’er… *sob*…”
Wanxia, realizing her life-threatening scheme had failed, could only watch helplessly as she spat blood again. She discreetly reached for the antidote hidden in her sleeve, preparing to take it.
“You—” But just as the silk handkerchief touched her lips, a figure seized her wrist, trapping it in a dark iron bowl.
“Eldest Young Lady, your malice is relentless, but futile. What’s hidden in this handkerchief? Marquis, My Lord, Young Master, see for yourselves.”
Qingfeng effortlessly snatched the handkerchief and stepped forward, unfolding it before the crowd. A green pill lay inside. Smirking, he lifted it between his fingers.
“I—” Wanxia paled. Her plot had not only failed but been exposed. The poison’s spread and the icy glares from Prince Ning and Leng Mingye made her heart race. Unable to breathe, she convulsed and collapsed unconscious.
“Sister! Sister! Father, save her! She’s fainted! Without help, she’ll die from the poison—”
Wanjun, terrified by her sister’s sudden collapse, ignored the intimidating gazes around her and begged Mu Zhenfeng through tears.
“She won’t die. No need to panic.” Wanqing chuckled coolly. “Brother Qingfeng has already used silver needles to halt the poison’s spread. Now, with the antidote in my hand, Third Sister, I must ask: What was your purpose in framing me? Fourth Sister, you’ve disappointed me too. I pleaded for leniency on your behalf, yet you conspired against me. As for this antidote…”
She paused deliberately, watching Wanjun’s desperate gaze fix on the pill. Then, with a faint smile, she crushed it between her fingers, letting the powder scatter in the wind.
“You—!”
Wanjun’s eyes burned with hatred and horror as the antidote turned to dust.
“I warned you,” Wanqing said coldly. “Leave me be, and all would’ve been well. But you schemed against me repeatedly. Don’t blame me for being merciless. Father, handle this as you see fit. I’m injured and need rest—keep these people away, or I’ll ensure no one has peace. Chunhong, let’s go.”
With that, Wanqing left, supported by Qingfeng’s brothers and Chunhong.
“Prince Ning,” Leng Mingye said calmly, stopping the prince from following. “Since the little fool is injured, let her rest. We shouldn’t interfere further. Come.”
Pushing the prince’s wheelchair, he departed, his mind filled with unanswered questions.
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