Half an hour before midnight, Wanqing quietly rose from her bed.
She sprinkled some medicinal powder outside Hongyan’s window, ensuring the girl inside was sound asleep before softly pushing the door open. She pricked Hongyan twice with silver needles to deepen her slumber, then repeated the same process with the maids Xiatao and Wanchun, drugging and needling them into deeper sleep.
Returning to her room, she took out the men’s clothes she had prepared earlier, padded the soles of her shoes to appear taller, and made slight alterations to her face. In an instant, she transformed into a young scholar with a neatly trimmed beard and a scholar’s hat before stepping out the door.
Arriving at the designated spot where she had agreed to meet Qingfeng with the carriage, they rode to the back gate of the Marquis’s residence. By then, it was already midnight. As they entered, she indeed caught sight of a shadowy figure darting past.
“Let’s go,” Wanqing said with a faint smile, fully aware of the figure’s identity but feigning ignorance as she glanced at Qingfeng before stepping inside.
“Brother Ren, Brother Mu has long known you were lurking here, but he’s never been fond of people skulking in the shadows. If you have any requests, it’s best to speak openly. Hiding like this might startle Miss Wanwan, and Brother Mu would be displeased.”
After entering with Wanqing, she gave Qingfeng further instructions. Soon after, Qingfeng emerged and addressed the silent night air in a clear voice. Once the shadowy figure vanished, he smiled slightly and turned back inside.
“Miss Wanwan, that person has left. However, the method you suggested might not deceive the Young Marquis for long. Nevertheless, my master has arranged for someone to impersonate Mr. Mu. Once the matter is resolved, we can simply say he left the capital, and the Cold Young Marquis won’t suspect a thing.”
Qingfeng watched the petite figure move with ease, admiring her foresight. With deep respect, he introduced a young man who had been waiting by the sedan chair.
“Brother Ning Wang has truly thought of everything for Qing’er. Very well, let him stay. Brother Mu, please. Hongyan, you’re awake? Brother Mu is here to help me detoxify. He dislikes being disturbed. Qingfeng, wait outside with the others. Brother Mu, let’s proceed with the treatment.”
As Qingfeng made his suggestion, a black-clad figure arrived. Though unsure of his identity, Wanqing sensed something unusual about him, likely another of Qingfeng’s kind. Grateful, she nodded and beckoned him inside.
As they entered, Hongyan, still drowsy, sat up. Wanqing feigned surprise upon seeing her and smiled lightly, instructing the man to enter a separate room while addressing Qingfeng and Hongyan. She then led the man inside.
“Subordinate Nan Zhuzi,” the man introduced himself respectfully when questioned by Wanqing.
“Brother Nan Zhuzi, Wanwan greets you. From now on, you shall be Brother Mu to me.”
Having heard of him from Qingfeng, Wanqing knew Nan Zhuzi was also one of Ning Wang’s trusted men. Touched that Ning Wang had sent both his aides to assist with Cold Mingye’s affairs, she expressed her gratitude and briefed Nan Zhuzi on the necessary knowledge and protocols.
Though Hongyan was curious about how Mu Chengfeng would detoxify Wanqing, Qingfeng’s presence kept her silent outside the room. Half an hour later, the door opened.
“That’s enough for today. I’ll take my leave now. Sister Wanwan, I’ll consider the request you mentioned earlier. Qingfeng, let’s go.”
At the courtyard gate, Nan Zhuzi bid farewell to Wanqing, who had escorted him and Hongyan to the entrance, then departed with Qingfeng.
“Brother Mu Chengfeng has agreed to consider helping Young Marquis. I trust he won’t disappoint me. Hongyan, let’s go back.”
Watching Qingfeng and Nan Zhuzi leave, Wanqing turned back with excitement gleaming in her eyes before heading inside.
And so, the deception succeeded. Several days passed, and one evening, Qingfeng arrived under the pretext that Mu Chengfeng would continue teaching Wanqing, inviting her to the Prince’s residence to treat Ning Wang.
In truth, upon arrival, Wanqing first took Ning Wang’s pulse, pleased to find that the prescription she had given him days earlier had alleviated some of the toxins accumulated in his body.
“The medicine I prescribed earlier has cleared the toxins from your system. Now, I’ll use silver needles to unblock your meridians. With consistent treatment, you’ll see results soon.”
Noticing Ning Wang’s calm yet hopeful expression, Wanqing examined him and confirmed the detoxifying medicine had worked. With a light chuckle, she took out silver needles and began inserting them into his body and legs.
Half an hour later, she removed the needles one by one and asked the now-awake prince, “Can you feel anything?”
“I definitely feel something—a warmth flowing into my legs. Wanwan, thank you so much. For years, my legs have been unresponsive. I thought I’d be confined to a wheelchair forever. Never did I imagine…”
His voice trembled with cautious excitement as he gingerly touched his injured legs. Moments later, his handsome face lit up with uncontainable joy, his already striking features glowing even brighter.
“This is just the first session. Since you’ve felt something, it means the treatment is working. Here’s more medicine—take it as prescribed to aid your recovery. I’ll take my leave now. Have Qingfeng fetch me at the same time tomorrow. Hehe. Farewell.”
Ning Wang’s radiant happiness was infectious. Wanqing smiled as she wrote another prescription, handed it to him, and left with Qingfeng.
The entire journey back was filled with her cheerful chatter, praising Mu Chengfeng’s skills and marveling at the wonders of what she had learned.
“Alright, we’re home. I’ll leave you at the gate. Go on inside. I’ll come fetch you tomorrow for another lesson.”
Though amused by her self-directed performance, Qingfeng could only shake his head fondly as he watched her enter the residence before turning away.
“Sigh…” Alone in her courtyard, Wanqing finally felt the weight of solitude and exhaustion.
“Little fool, Hongyan told me you went to learn acupuncture from Mu Chengfeng. Has he given any response to the matter I mentioned?”
Just as she stepped into her room, the lamp by the bed suddenly flickered to life. Seated there, as if waiting for her for hours, was a man whose eyes gleamed with anticipation at her return.
“Young Marquis, when did you arrive? Yes, I studied acupuncture with him. He said he’d agree—but only after treating Brother Ning Wang’s legs. Sigh, who knew studying medicine would be so exhausting? And those meridian points—memorizing them makes my head spin. Brother, you once mentioned teaching me acupressure. Are the meridian charts like this? This is what Brother Mu Chengfeng gave me.”
Faced with the man waiting in her room, Wanqing sighed inwardly. Thankfully, her earlier precautions had been thorough. Though she didn’t understand why Ning Wang had gone along with her ruse, she trusted he wouldn’t betray her.
Summoning her energy, she handed him the meridian chart she had obtained from Ning Wang earlier.
“This is indeed a meridian chart. Little fool, you’ve gotten lucky. Mu Chengfeng seems to have taken a liking to you. My matter isn’t urgent—I’ll wait for his treatment. But your face… those red spots are fading, and you’re growing even more beautiful. Would you allow me to paint your portrait?”
Cold Mingye glanced at the chart she handed him before suddenly focusing on her face. Without warning, he produced paper and brushes.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage