“Brother, I won’t cry. Chunhong would never want me to cry either. Crying only brings joy to our enemies and pain to our loved ones, so I refuse to cry. Brother, could you do me a favor? Come with me to the Youming Garden.”
Beside her, the Prince of Ning’s voice was gentle, filled with concern and affection. Though Wanqing’s heart burned with the urge to kill and scream, she forced herself to look up. Despite her efforts to suppress it, her eyes were still brimming with unshed tears.
Through the blur of tears, she stubbornly held back the droplets welling in her eyes and spoke to him. With a fierce swipe, she wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and turned to the Prince of Ning with an expectant plea.
“Alright.”
The little one was stubborn, her eyes filled with tears yet her expression resolute. The Prince of Ning clenched his large hand at his side, watching her for a long moment before finally speaking. The group then turned and left.
“What’s wrong, little fool? I heard something happened here. Are you alright? Where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?”
No sooner had they stepped out of the Bamboo Fragrance Garden than they saw several figures approaching gracefully.
At the front was Leng Mingye, his demeanor languid, a faint smile playing on his lips. Spotting the group at the entrance of the Bamboo Fragrance Garden, he nodded slightly to the Prince of Ning in greeting before turning to Wanqing beside him. Seeing the cold determination on her face, he asked in surprise, “Brother Leng, you’re here. I’m fine. I just want to visit the Youming Garden. There are some things I need to ask my stepmother in person. Hongyan isn’t in the garden, so perhaps you should wait for me in the flower hall. Prince of Ning, let’s go.”
Leng Mingye’s sudden appearance left Wanqing wondering how he had learned of the incident here. But she knew all too well the truth of the saying: good news stays at home, but bad news travels far and wide.
She had no energy left to engage in a battle of wits with him. Summoning what little strength she had, she spoke to him briefly before turning to the Prince of Ning and stepping forward.
“Little fool, who said I came here looking for Hongyan? Can’t I come to see you? Since you have business with your stepmother, why not let me lend you some courage? Let’s go together and see what’s happening.”
Wanqing’s cold and distant attitude made Leng Mingye’s handsome brow furrow in displeasure, but he maintained his calm demeanor as he spoke. Nodding to Bai Yu and Qingfeng beside him, he followed along.
“Stepmother… Stepmother, are you well?”
The memory of the figure she had seen in the tomb and the aura surrounding that person flashed through Wanqing’s mind. The words that person had spoken stoked the flames of fury in her heart.
To confirm her suspicions, she headed straight for the Youming Garden. As soon as she entered, she called out for Madam Liu. Stepping into the main hall where the Buddha statue stood, she saw Madam Liu sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat, eyes closed, counting her prayer beads and murmuring to herself.
Recalling how the black-clad figure had openly admitted to harming Chunhong and even taking her body away, Wanqing burned with the desire to rush forward, grab Madam Liu by the collar, and demand why she had been so cruel. Why target an innocent like Chunhong when she could have directed her malice at Wanqing herself?
But for now, she clenched her delicate hands into fists, her nails digging so deeply into her palms that they nearly drew blood. She forced herself to stop, her frosty gaze fixed on Madam Liu, who had looked up at their arrival.
“Qing’er… This humble woman greets His Highness the Prince of Ning and the Young Master. May I ask what brings you here…?”
Madam Liu’s voice was calm as she rose to greet Wanqing, her tone indifferent. Noticing the two men accompanying her, she bowed respectfully, her expression one of polite confusion.
“I came to see how you’re doing, Stepmother. It seems life here is quite peaceful for you. How rare…”
Wanqing was puzzled by Madam Liu’s composure. Though surprised at how effortlessly she maintained her calm, Wanqing stepped forward with a faint smile. Suddenly, she reached out, placing her hand on Madam Liu’s shoulder. Unbeknownst to anyone, a silver needle hidden between her fingers pricked Madam Liu’s arm.
“You—what did you do to me? It hurts! I’ve already paid the price for what I did to you before. Why won’t you let me go? You… Young Master, Prince of Ning, look at her! She’s hurt me with something!”
The pain was so intense that Madam Liu recoiled in shock, as if stung by a scorpion. She stumbled back a step, crying out in pain. In front of the Prince of Ning and Leng Mingye, she rolled up her sleeve to reveal her fair arm, where a small red puncture mark was visible.
“This…” Leng Mingye’s expression darkened as he stepped forward, only to be stopped by the Prince of Ning’s voice.
“Young Master, do not interfere. This is Wanwan’s family matter. I trust she would not harm someone without reason. Let us observe and see what she has in store.”
“Very well.”
Leng Mingye suppressed his impulse to intervene and nodded coolly, standing back with the Prince of Ning to watch.
“Stepmother, there’s no need to pretend anymore. I just want to know—how do you explain Chunhong’s death?”
Grateful for the Prince of Ning’s intervention, Wanqing shot him a brief glance before turning back to Madam Liu, whose face was now a mix of distress and panic.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What about Chunhong’s death? I’ve been here all along—how would I know anything about her? Wait… did you say Chunhong is dead? What happened to her?”
Madam Liu feigned ignorance, even turning the question back on Wanqing. Though she maintained an air of calm, Wanqing caught the flicker of evasion in her eyes.
“She was murdered in my courtyard. And the culprit—was you. Stepmother, I suggest you tell me the truth now. Otherwise… I doubt you’d want to experience my methods.”
Wanqing’s voice was icy as she laid bare Madam Liu’s crime. Seeing the flicker of unease in the older woman’s expression, Wanqing’s gaze turned frigid, carrying an unspoken threat.
“I didn’t kill her! Why would I? I’ve been here the whole time—I know nothing about this!”
Madam Liu’s composure faltered under Wanqing’s accusation. For some reason, the girl’s piercing gaze sent a wave of panic through her. Though she knew Wanqing was no longer the meek girl she once was, Madam Liu still saw her as nothing more than a naive child.
She quickly steeled herself, her face hardening as she retorted.
“Is that so? Then take your time to think it over. When you’re ready, come and tell me. But I warn you—you will pay for what you’ve done. You, and your two precious daughters. Don’t blame me. Blame yourself for ignoring my previous warnings. Let’s go. I’m sure she’ll come to her senses soon enough and confess to me directly.”
Seeing that Madam Liu would never admit to the crime under direct questioning, Wanqing decided not to press further. Her objective here had already been achieved. The needle she had used earlier was coated with a special substance—one that would ensure Madam Liu suffered nightmares filled with her deepest fears and hidden guilt.
By tomorrow, she would be desperate enough to seek Wanqing out for the antidote.
With a faint smile, Wanqing turned to the Prince of Ning and Leng Mingye, who had been expecting her to force a confession. Instead, she simply issued her warning and calmly prepared to leave.
“Little fool, have you lost your temper? A single needle prick will make her confess? Unless… did you put something on that needle?”
The Prince of Ning remained silent, but Leng Mingye, suspecting the truth, couldn’t help but ask.
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