“If I leave, miss, and they bring the officers to arrest you, what will you do?”
Chunhong’s reaction was swift. Wanqing took the bundle, a faint smile on her lips, though her face wore an expression of worry and fear as she asked.
“Over ten years ago, if you hadn’t taken off your hairpin and bracelet to redeem me, I would have frozen to death in the snow. As long as you live well, my death means nothing. The master and mistress of the house treat you poorly—if you want to leave, leave now and never come back.”
Though Chunhong’s face showed a trace of helplessness at Wanqing’s question, there was no blame in her eyes—only heartache as she spoke softly.
Seeing Wanqing remain silent, she removed a half-piece of jade strung on a red cord from her neck and handed it over, urging her urgently.
“Listen, once you leave the capital, head east for about ten li outside the city to a village called Liujia near the town of Shilibao. Find a woman named Lin Qiaochun. Show her this jade and explain who you are—she’ll take you in. Miss, go now. I’ll see you out. Any later and it’ll be too late.”
“Silly girl, I was just teasing you. Though what Xianglan did was despicable, I’m not a cruel person. This isn’t blood—it’s cinnabar I stole from Eldest Sister, just to test you.”
Seeing she wasn’t lying, though Wanqing had always told herself not to trust anyone, she realized that without understanding many things and having no one by her side, it would be truly inconvenient.
Plus, this girl had some loyalty. She chuckled lightly, set down the bundle, and took Chunhong’s hand to reassure her, wiping the “blood” off with a cloth.
“Miss, you—”
Seeing Wanqing calmly wipe the dagger with that faint smile, Chunhong finally understood her intent. She had always been devoted to her mistress, yet Wanqing had doubted her. Unable to help it, she let out a low, reproachful cry.
“I know this might have hurt you. But Chunhong, in noble households, even if you don’t scheme or provoke others, they’ll still make trouble for you. I never thought of harming anyone, yet look what happened. If not for a kind soul today, I might already be dead.”
Seeing the disappointment on Chunhong’s face, Wanqing knew she might have gone too far. Thinking of the long road ahead, she placed her hands on Chunhong’s shoulders apologetically.
At this, Chunhong’s expression shifted from disappointment to unmistakable sorrow and pity. Wanqing smiled faintly and emphasized again.
“I did this to make you understand. If you stay loyal to me, I’ll treat you like a sister. From today onward, I won’t be weak or polite to anyone. Whoever crosses me will regret it.”
“Miss, I’ll do my best to serve you from now on. But those people aren’t easy to deal with—I’m afraid you’ll suffer.”
Chunhong’s heart ached at Wanqing’s words. Though she was the mistress, she lived worse than a servant, even bullied by the household staff.
Though moved by Wanqing’s resolve, Chunhong couldn’t shake her worry about those in the mansion.
“Don’t worry, Chunhong. Today, I met a nobleman who gave me a treasure. No one will dare bully me again.”
Wanqing smiled faintly, reassuring her.
Seeing Chunhong say no more, she took the bundle and put things back in place, then picked up the basin of wet clothes to wash. Yawning, she added,
“After washing the clothes, you should rest. Oh, and fetch me a basin of water—I’d like to freshen up.”
“Of course. I’ll get the water first, then wash the clothes. Miss, are you hungry? If you are, I’ll make you noodles.”
Chunhong nodded obediently, setting aside the dirty clothes to bring the water. Worried Wanqing hadn’t eaten all day, she asked tenderly.
“You can cook after washing the clothes. By the way, do we have any silver needles in the room?”
Only then did Wanqing realize she was hungry. Carrying the basin behind the screen, she asked.
“Nanny Liu had one before she passed. What do you need it for, miss?”
Chunhong turned and rummaged through the room, handing her a silver needle as Wanqing removed her outer robe, puzzled.
“Yes, if Nanny Liu were still here, we wouldn’t be suffering like this. Go wash the clothes—I have my reasons.”
Mentioning Nanny Liu, Wanqing’s heart grew heavy, thinking of the wet nurse who had cared for her since childhood, only to die from a simple illness because no one would treat her.
Seeing Chunhong’s face darken with grief, Wanqing changed the subject, reaching for a towel.
“Rest after washing up, miss. I’ll call you when the noodles are ready.”
Chunhong observed how Wanqing had returned the same in appearance but entirely different in spirit.
Though unsure why she needed the needle, she suppressed her sorrow, picked up the laundry basin, and reminded her before leaving, closing the door behind her.
Once alone, Wanqing undressed and examined the bruises on her skin. Thinking of those who had plotted against her, her gaze turned icy. She cleaned herself meticulously, then pricked her finger with the needle to draw out some poisoned blood.
After draining the tainted blood and washing, she finally felt somewhat refreshed.
By the time she dressed and went to the courtyard to dump the water, Chunhong still hadn’t returned.
Knowing she washed clothes by a small river outside the courtyard, Wanqing grabbed a lantern and headed there—though the pavilion nearby had lights, the night was dark and heavy.
“Who are you?”
Just as she passed the small bamboo grove near the river, a gust of wind brushed her neck, followed by a cold touch.
After a brief moment of panic, Wanqing steadied herself and asked coolly, the silver needle still hidden in her sleeve.
“What do you think, little girl?”
The man seemed to have anticipated her move. The dagger flashed and was sheathed as he crossed his arms, watching her.
“You? Are you here to silence me—or repay a debt?”
In the dim lantern light, Wanqing recognized the black-clad man from the alley outside Chunxiang Tower. Recalling his earlier reaction, she asked lightly.
“You’re sharp. Since you’ve guessed, I’ll be direct. I came to kill you—you shouldn’t have seen me injured. But since you saved my life, name your regrets. If I can fulfill them, I will.”
The man’s lips curled faintly, his tone almost condescending despite his murderous intent.
“Fine. My greatest regret is saving you. I thought you were honorable—that even if you didn’t repay me tenfold, you wouldn’t turn out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Kill me if you dare. Let’s see who’s faster—this needle is coated in deadly poison.”
Wanqing sighed wearily.
Before the man could react, she lunged forward, driving the needle into his arm. As his expression darkened, she met his gaze defiantly, chin raised.
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