“I’m fine, I just pulled my wound. It’s Hongyan who got hurt protecting me—she was struck by a poisoned hidden weapon. But she’s out of danger now. How did you find this place?”
Qingfeng’s nervousness and concern warmed Wanqing’s heart.
For some reason, seeing his rare worry and care for her made her feel uneasy. She subtly withdrew her hand, looked at him calmly, and led him inside while explaining Hongyan’s condition as she lay on the haystack.
“Didn’t you tell me to wait for you at the back gate of the Marquis’s residence? I waited for a long time until I ran into Uncle Zhong on his night watch. He said you left with her before dark. I followed the wheel tracks all the way here. With your medical skills, even if she were on death’s door, you could pull her back. Right? Anyway, can you walk? The carriage is just ahead—I’ll take you both back to the city first.”
Hearing her question, Qingfeng sighed helplessly. She never seemed to take his words seriously. Still, he patiently explained, watching as she fell silent in understanding. He then complained about the trouble he’d gone through to find her, glancing at Hongyan on the ground. Despite his disdainful look, he grabbed her by the collar and lifted her while offering his other arm to Wanqing.
“Just take her. I’m fine.”
Seeing him roughly haul Hongyan by the back of her clothes while gently supporting her, Wanqing felt inexplicably flustered by the way he looked at her tonight.
Memories of past betrayals and manipulation flashed in her mind. When his hand brushed her arm, she recoiled as if pricked, pushing him away and stepping outside.
“I… Wanwan, don’t be angry. I was just worried about you. I didn’t mean to be presumptuous. I—what am I even saying? I… Anyway…”
As she walked away, Qingfeng’s outstretched hand dropped stiffly. The warmth and faint smile on his face vanished, replaced by indescribable disappointment.
After a pause, he sighed softly. This time, he unceremoniously hoisted Hongyan like a sack under his arm and followed. Outside, he placed her in the carriage where Wanqing had already seated herself.
When he looked up at her, she was silent, her eyes downcast as if avoiding him.
Her sudden silence and the sorrow in her expression unsettled him. He longed to comfort her but feared overstepping.
Only now did he realize how deeply he cared for her—more than he did for his master, even more than his own brother.
Seeing how his obvious feelings had saddened her, he hesitated before speaking softly, his face flushing with embarrassment.
“I know you care about me too, Qingfeng. But I hope we can always be good friends—like siblings. You’re like an elder brother to me, just like Prince Ning.”
Wanqing, however, was lost in thought about who had orchestrated the attack. Only when she looked up in the dim lantern light did she notice his nervous expression.
Realizing something was amiss, she smiled faintly.
“I… I understand. Let’s go.”
Her words dimmed the hope in Qingfeng’s eyes. He wanted to laugh it off as a joke but found it impossible. After a long silence, he forced a smile and turned to drive the carriage away.
Sighing, Wanqing knew she had hurt him. But it was better to stop his feelings early rather than let them deepen. Though pained, she trusted he would move on.
That night, due to Hongyan’s poisoning, Wanqing directed Qingfeng to Prince Ning’s residence.
She treated the prince with acupuncture and prescribed medicine to detoxify his body. By the time she finished, it was past midnight.
“Brother Ning, if Hongyan asks about her poison, I hope you’ll cover for me.”
Before leaving, wary of Leng Mingye’s suspicions, she made the request.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help however I can. Qingfeng, escort Wanwan home.” Prince Ning smiled warmly and agreed, instructing Qingfeng to see her off.
“I was too presumptuous earlier. I won’t say such things again or disturb your peace. But… may I still call you ‘Wanwan’ in private, like His Highness does?”
On the way back, silence lingered until Qingfeng suddenly spoke at the Marquis’s gate, his tone pleading.
“I thought you were upset about my rejection. But being friends, siblings—isn’t that nice too?”
Relieved, Wanqing grinned and playfully slung an arm over his shoulder.
“You’re such a shameless girl. If you don’t act more ladylike, you’ll never marry. But yes, being friends and siblings is good. Though I’d never compare to His Highness—just a private brother, even if only in name. I’m not trying to take advantage…”
Her teasing eased Qingfeng’s heartache. Though his budding feelings had been cut short, he wasn’t angry. Instead, he chided her like an elder brother.
When she withdrew her hand, he added hopefully,
“If I really can’t marry, choosing between you two wouldn’t be bad, right? Haha! You’re both brothers—Prince Ning is the eldest, and you’re the second, my private ‘brother.’ Alright, let’s go. If we keep talking, I might fall asleep right here.”
“Alright. I’ll carry Hongyan in for you. Chunhong? Why is the courtyard so dark? That girl must’ve fallen asleep waiting. You’ve had a long night—get some rest. I’ll go now.”
Though Wanqing’s words were a joke, Qingfeng clung to hope, waiting foolishly until the day she married. Only then did he reconsider his own path—but that’s another story.
Watching her yawn and rub her eyes like any young girl, Qingfeng smiled and nodded. He carried Hongyan inside, calling for Chunhong. When no one answered, he chuckled and set Hongyan down in her room.
After Wanqing administered more acupuncture and covered her, he gazed at her tired face.
“Rest well,” he murmured before vanishing into the night.
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