“Alright. Brother Shizi, guess who this is?”
Half an hour later, Wanqing helped someone out, her eyes brimming with excitement and a hint of pride as she looked at the man by the door.
“This… Chunhong, this…” At her prompting, Leng Mingye raised his brows. Expecting some trick, he was taken aback when he lifted his head and saw a familiar face. He blurted out in surprise, staring at her.
“Haha, see? I told you so! Brother Shizi, I’ve only learned less than sixty percent of the disguise techniques from Brother Mu, and you already mistook her. Now, take another look—who is she?”
Seeing the shock on Leng Mingye’s face, Wanqing chuckled smugly. She pulled the person beside her forward, wiped her face with a silk handkerchief, and asked again.
“Xiaotao? This… this…” In the blink of an eye, the girl who had worn Chunhong’s face now looked entirely different—clearly Xiaotao, the new maid Wanqing had called in earlier.
The sight left Leng Mingye utterly stunned.
“See? Disguise techniques. I only learned a little from Brother Mu, but I’ve grasped the essence enough to transform someone completely. What Guiniang saw was my face, but I wasn’t even there, nor do I know what happened at the brothel. So…”
Wanqing smiled faintly at Leng Mingye’s astonishment and delight, then turned to him.
“You’re suggesting someone impersonated you? But why would they target you specifically and no one else? Little fool. Tell me the truth, or I won’t believe a word of this.”
Despite his skepticism, Leng Mingye couldn’t refute her flawless disguise. His expression tightened as he spoke calmly, making it clear he wouldn’t believe her without solid proof.
“Seems Brother still doesn’t trust Qing’er. Fine, I’ll tell you everything. This traces back to half a month ago. That morning, I went out to buy a birthday gift for Chunhong when Xianglan drugged me with a cup of tea. I woke up in a carriage leaving the city. After being rescued by a kind soul, I returned to the Marquis’s estate—only to run into you searching for the person who stabbed you. Brother Shizi, I believe Xianglan framed me…”
Seeing the deepening doubt in Leng Mingye’s eyes, Wanqing sighed helplessly and revealed the truth. She then pouted at him, tugging his sleeve playfully.
“Framed you?”
His phoenix eyes filled with skepticism as he questioned her.
“Yes. I only realized later. My eldest sister has feelings for Sun Fengyu, but I’ve been betrothed to him since childhood. So, she plotted to ruin me—first by drugging me, taking me out of the city to kill or sell me, then hiring someone to impersonate me at the brothel to tarnish my reputation. Brother Shizi…”
Meeting Leng Mingye’s disbelief head-on, Wanqing nodded firmly before tugging his sleeve again.
“You’re saying your sister orchestrated all this?”
For some reason, Leng Mingye felt a pang of softness despite his wariness. He eyed her skeptically. “She’s clever as a fox,” he reminded himself, yet he couldn’t help asking, “Are you certain?”
“Yes, it was all my sister’s doing—or at least my stepmother’s. If I’m right, my stepmother will soon come to apologize. Once I question her, you’ll understand. Okay, Brother Shizi?”
Though nervous, Wanqing met his gaze steadily, thinking of the drug she’d given Liu Shi. She looked at him expectantly.
“How can you be sure she’ll apologize sincerely?”
Her confidence baffled him further. He frowned, probing her certainty.
“Heh…” Wanqing chuckled lightly at his doubt. Just then, Wanchun arrived, announcing, “Second Miss, the Madam is here to beg an audience. She says it’s urgent…”
“See? I wasn’t lying. Let her in, Brother Shizi. We’ll hear what she has to say—and listen closely to my questions.”
With a triumphant smile, Wanqing looped her arm through Leng Mingye’s, practically dragging him forward.
“Fine. I’ll humor you today. But if you’ve lied or hidden anything… well, my temper might just separate your head from your neck.”
Despite his suspicion, Leng Mingye sighed and followed, placing a large hand threateningly on her slender neck.
“Brother, you’re scaring Qing’er again! You’ve been so kind to me—I’d sooner deceive my father than you. But since you don’t trust me, here I stand. Do as you will. Take my life if you must.”
Feeling his grip and hearing his icy tone, Wanqing sighed inwardly but turned to him with feigned reproach. Tilting her chin up, she closed her eyes, surrendering to his judgment.
“You… Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?”
Her defiance—eyes shut, neck bared—stoked his fury, especially when he recalled being bested by a woman. His fingers tightened around her throat, watching her face flush under his grip. “Would death really clear your name?” he hissed.
“If it eases your anger or dispels your doubts, then yes. Qing’er would gladly die.”
Knowing she was provoking him, Wanqing stubbornly held his gaze before closing her eyes again, ready for his strike.
“Fine. We’ll see what Liu Shi says. If her story matches yours, I’ll believe you.”
Her fearless act made Leng Mingye’s jaw clench. He wanted to squeeze harder, but something about her resolve stayed his hand. Reluctantly, he released her and strode ahead.
Soon, Liu Shi arrived.
“Stepmother, what brings you here so suddenly?” Wanqing feigned ignorance, though she knew full well.
“Enough games. Give me the antidote. Do that, and I’ll let bygones be bygones.”
Liu Shi’s sleepless nights had worn her down. Her voice was cold as she glared.
“Stepmother, you’re in no position to bargain. Chunhong’s death isn’t something I’ll overlook. Tell me—why target her? What was your goal? No answer means no antidote. And your precious daughters? I’ll ruin them, one by one.”
Wanqing arched a brow at Liu Shi’s arrogance. Sitting gracefully, she delivered her ultimatum with chilling calm.
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